Time between feeding and handling?

[edenlore]

How long do you wait after you snake feeds before you handle them?

I normally give my 6-month-old corn 24 hours digesting time before I'll take her out of the viv-- and so far no problems or regurg.

 

[RedRaydin]

I don't know about most people, but I wait at least 48 hours. Wait until you either see they have used the bathroom at least one time. Normally mine goes twice in the same day about 2 to 2 and a half days after feeding. I guess because it all doesn't come out at once or whatever. But I know I have handled mine once after 3 days since it's last feed (it hadn't went yet, or at least I hadn't seen evidence of it). Well as soon as I picked it up, I saw it was actually right near it's tail. Put it back in the cage and I guess stress caused it to go about 5-10 minutes later, cause as soon as I went back in the room after doing something it had gone. So just forewarning so you don't get pooped on... that's never fun. But my rule of thumb like I said is 2-2 and a half days or evidence of passing. May be different for different people due to proper or inproper temps and humidity for digesting. I live in virginia so I don't need to worry about humidity, never had any shed problems after 3 sheds and digests are fine. Depends on those stipulations. I'm sure you'll see more on the topic. Hope this helped.

 

[Shade]

I usually wait 48-72 hours after feeding, depending on the size of the meal eaten.

 

[edenlore]

Would you think 48 hours would be necessary for a baby eating pinkies?

 

[Roy Munson]

Would you think 48 hours would be necessary for a baby eating pinkies?

The short answer is: yes. But a six-month old corn should probably be eating larger meals than pinks anyway if it hasn't had any problems, and if it has been fed properly. I wait at least 72 hours for all snakes, and even longer for older snakes eating large meals.

The solution to your dilemma of impatience is to buy another corn, and stagger the feeding schedules so that you'll always have one available for handling.

 

[edenlore]

I don't think my corn could handle anything bigger than pinkies, to be perfectly honest. She's just over a foot long and occassionally I think she struggles a little if the pinkies are on the large side.

And if I buy another snake my family will disown me. They're unhappy enough sharing their house with one as it is.

 

[BeckyG]

While most snakes of that age would be on at least fuzzies, there are some that would still be on pinkies. Those that weren't fed as often, those with health problems (such as parasites) or some that are just smaller than others. If you are unsure, look at the size of the lump it leaves in her tummy rather than how long it takes her to eat it. If the lump is barely visible, or gone within 24 hours, it is time to move up.

On the other hand, I have an 16 month old snake still on pinkies, but she has issues...

You said your snake was only 12 inches long. Are you sure of its age? That seems awfully small for a 6 month old.

 

[edenlore]

I'm sure of her age... but less sure of her length. I estimate that's she just over a foot... but she could be up to a foot and a half with my dreadful skills of estimation. I haven't ever tried getting her to lie next to a ruler.

Hrmm... the lump is always quite visible, though perhaps not after 24 hours. I might try her with a fuzzie and see if she can manage it... if I move up to bigger food, that means less frequent feeds, right?

 

[Roy Munson]

When my snakes move up to fuzzies, I usually feed them one every six days.

 

[chibitamalove]

If you want to measure her accurately, you should download the Snake Measurer from SerpWidgets. http://www.serpwidgets.com/Apps/apps.html

 

[Lennycorn]

You go by the girth of the snake more than the lenght of it when your trying to figure proper food size.
The rule of thumb is feed the snake something that is 1 1/2 time the snake girth.
Hope that helps.

 

[Nanci]

I handle 48 hours after feeding- but with five snakes, there is always someone available- so I don't have to rush the others.

People greatly underestimate the size of snakes. When I bought Zee, the dealer said he was 7-8 inches. He is 14, using the snake measuring software!!

When I found Maizey in my yard, I thought she was a baby. She was actually an adult- 32"!! And that wasn't even using software. A year and a half later, she's 42".

What I do to measure is get the camera ready, put the ruler/tape measure on a plate, place the snake on the plate, corral it, remove my hand at the last second.

Here's an example from last night of Addy- who was EXTREMELY uncooperative. Idealy you wouldn't want any overlapping aprts- but I took what I could get.

Nanci