Corn Hatchlings and Food Supply

[zacColubred]

Hello!

I'm the senior fish and reptile expert at a pet store somewhere between a chain and an LFS in Canada, which isn't saying much, since I've only been with the company for a year. My primary experience, however, is with Aquaria and a few limited brushes with members of the gecko family. I inherited the snake care position from the guy who inherited it from a guy who actually knew what he was doing, so knowledge is a little thin on the ground.

We have a set of about 11 baby corns of various morphs, diameters of about 5-6mm, that I just can't seem to get pinkies small enough for. Corporate keeps sending us more of the little things, and I'm lucky if every 1000 frozen pinks I order has maybe 4 small enough pinkies in it to feed them.

Is there anything else at all I could be doing to feed these guys? Local law prohibits us from breeding the pinkies on-site and I can't find a staff member willing to take some mice home and do it on their own time (I really can't blame them).

Thanks for the help. Please don't hate on my corporate overlords - we're doing pretty good at only hiring people who know what the hell we're doing. (They aren't Petsmart or Petco, if that helps).

[Pyrate81]

They can eat bigger than you think they should be able to. They can eat 1.25x the size of their body's thickest part and are made to stretch a bit. Are the pinkies you're getting almost fuzzy-size?

Not sure what your store budget might dictate but you could order from a website like rodent pro or if there is another pet store in the area, try buying from them? Is your manager able to override or approve anything like that?

[Dracoluna]

They can eat bigger than you think they should be able to. They can eat 1.25x the size of their body's thickest part and are made to stretch a bit. Are the pinkies you're getting almost fuzzy-size?

Not sure what your store budget might dictate but you could order from a website like rodent pro or if there is another pet store in the area, try buying from them? Is your manager able to override or approve anything like that?

x2

Unless they are only about 3-4g., they can take a standard pinky. Corns are little garbage disposals and are able to handle larger prey than what you'd think. For super small hatchlings, you can also cut the pinky down a bit. It's messy but it works. Are they eating when offered already?

[M&H]

You could put an ad out on Craigslist for a mouse breeder. They usually sell "red hots" or day old mice you could give them.

[brobertson]

I would take one and just chop it in half. The snake wouldn't mind, and it gets them down to the perfect size. You can feed the other half next week.

[theodore]

Does anyone know how to breed garters?
thanks

[brobertson]

Does anyone know how to breed garters?
thanks

Dude, you need to step back. Earlier this week you messaged me asking about good beginner reptiles for you, then for your sister, basic care information that a simple google could finf, and then finally asking if I had any tips for keeping a garter snake you caught in your yard (did you really release it? Doesn't sound like it.) You need to slow WAY down. Do some serious research and find what species you really want to keep and how to keep them. Then, drop some money on a good setup with a quality thermostat and thermometer, and dial it in until it is ready for your little buddy. Finally, you can find a fantastic captive bred snake from a reputable breeder. Please dude, slow down a bit. I can tell that you like reptiles, but there is a serious commitment to them. Will you still be super pumped about your snake in a year? 5 years? 10 years? More? Please think about it.

Sorry about going off on this tangent, but I felt that this was what needed to be said. Hope that the little corns do well.