New corn not eating?

[Gemmysmom]

My husband and I got a corn snake for our son on the 15th. He (assumed) is very tiny but he's got a vibrant color and is very sweet when we handle him. We fed him on the 16th and he ate right away. Then we tried to feed him on the 19th. He wasn't interested. So we threw that pinkie away and tried again on the 20th. No problem. So we thought, ok, 4 days. Well yesterday and today we've attempted to give him a pinkie and he's not showing interest. He's still sweet, active and seems healthy. He even seems to have grown (maybe even an inch!) His color is still vivid but it almost seems dull to me? Like he's dusty. Should I be worried yet or give it another day?

This is our first snake so if I sound foolish please understand why...

[thedarkwolf25]

He could be getting ready to shed which would explain the dull coloration you are seeing. Snakes are capable of going a long time in between feedings (even the young ones) so I wouldn't be too worried. If he is going into shed he will become more dull and may still refuse to eat.

Make sure to check his habitat and make sure that everything is as it should be.

Also make sure to go over the care sheet if you haven't already http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...ttata-guttata)


PS. One more thing, try and keep handling him to a minimum until he has eaten 4 times in a row for you. What I mean by that is that he eats every time is offered (every 4-5 days) 4 times consecutively. After that feel free to handle him all you like and enjoy the wonders of having a corn, they have awesome personalities!

[TheWinWizard]

Agreed, sounds like a shed coming on. Are his eyes looking cloudy or blue?

[Gemmysmom]

Agreed, sounds like a shed coming on. Are his eyes looking cloudy or blue?

Yes, this morning they look cloudy. That's a shed?

[TheWinWizard]

Yes, raise the humidity in his enclosure until he physically sheds. Might be a week or so until he does. The cloudiness is hormone secretion that helps separate the layer of old skin from the new one that is forming under it. When his eyes clear he should shed within a few days. Any questions please ask. We love to help.

[Gemmysmom]

I cannot tell you how much better you've made my husband and I feel. We're working on raising the humidity, it seems to be stuck at 50% so I'm going to buy a spray bottle and we're going to mist into his habitat several times daily. Can I put the humidifier I use when my boys are sick near it and use that? I don't want to cover the top because I don't want to limit his air.

I'm actually really excited to see the shed I am a very involved person when it comes to pets and get overly nervous about every little thing that deals with them until I'm used to them. (I grew up with dogs so I'm great with handling dogs, when I first got a cat I was a wreck until I got used to that, now I'm terrified I'll screw up Sam...) But I guess that makes me a good pet owner.

Anyway, Thanks so much for your help, and if you have any tips on how to raise the humidity let me know!

[TheWinWizard]

You can put the humidifier near it. You can also mist the cage a few times a day. 50% is decent humidity for him. he should shed in around a week or so. After his eyes clear he should in a few days. You are welcome. This is why we are here. We love to share info and help each other.

[Gemmysmom]

He shed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And then he ate!!!!!!!!!!!!!! now he's a happy boy thanks soooooo much

[TheWinWizard]

You're welcome. Good work on your part. Any more problems, just let us know. You need to post some pics of your new boy now that he's shed.