Tips on feeding little corns?

JJshiv · #1 (**permalink**) 12-08-2002, 08:22 AM

I have had these 4 little corns for 3 weeks now. All but one has refused a meal at one point and one hasnt eaten once. I am feeding F/T and I am gonna try some live pinks next feeding, but are there any tips on feeding these little guys? My temps are good and they have plenty of hiding places in their own enclosures. I want to be able to feed them F/T but I will feed live pinks if I have to. They are awesome little snakes, but kind of confusing to me. The one that eats all the time goes right after the pinky like a boa or python would, but the ones that dont eat regularly kind of smell the pinky for a while then just kind of gnaw on it before finally swallowing the whole thing. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_confused.gif[/img]
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#2 (**permalink**) 12-08-2002, 06:18 PM

Sometimes that's just the way it goes. In the wild, probably only the strongest feeder would survive. Feeding live pinks is no big deal they cannot harm the snake(s). Once you're feeding prey items with teeth and open eyes then it's time for F/T for sure. If you can get them on it earlier, great, but not necessary.

My corn snake is over 2 years old and still refuses a meal now and then for no obvious reason (to me) - i.e. he's not in shed or too hot or too cold or the rodent is too cold, he just refuses it.
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SnakePool · #3 (**permalink**) 12-08-2002, 08:33 PM

Prey heat has never been an issue with my collection. My burms will eat them cold and so will my ball pythons. Try using tongs or hemos and hold the pink right in front of their face and follow them. That's how I have to feed my little corn. Also try using a small deli dish. And leave them undisturbed.
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herp_chick · #4 (**permalink**) 12-08-2002, 08:52 PM

I know how frustrating this can be. I have had several corns who would do this. There is one thing that usually works, though somewhat gross. Next time you feed, cut the head off the pinkie, and feed just the head, in a deli cup, undisturbed. I have not had one refuse this more than once before eating. After a couple or three feeds on just the head, they will usually take the whole pinkie with NP. Just a word of advice.....it's easier to cut the heads off BEFORE they thaw out........lol. Good luck! [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]
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ChrisRezendes · #5 (**permalink**) 12-08-2002, 09:14 PM

You didn't say whether you fed inside the cage or outside, so if you feed inside, try feeding in a tote. If you feed outside, try feeding inside. If that was something you already tried, then I can't really say anything until I know everything you have tried.

_________________
Bears and sharks always travel together. Just look at them, walking through the wooded forest, paw in fin. It's on account of their teeth that makes them "Nature's Best Friends"

JJshiv · #6 (**permalink**) 12-09-2002, 12:59 AM

I have tried everything I could think of including what all you guys have suggested. I havent cut off the head but I did brain it and it didnt spark any interest. I have fed in all sorts of containers in dim light, pitch black and even tried daytime once. I have let them sit in the container for minutes, hours, and overnight once to no avail. i always wait at least 4 days to offer the pinks too after the refuse. Maybe this matters maybe it doesnt, but the one that has eaten everytime is a normal and the rest are snows.
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herp_chick · #7 (**permalink**) 12-09-2002, 01:22 AM

With the lil guys I had to behead the pinkies for, they were very small. I think their reluctance to feed came from being overwhelmed by the size of the pinkies, even thought the size was appropriate. After eating just the heads for a few weeks, they readily ate the whole pinkie, NP. Only thing you can do is try, as force feeding can be very stressful. Good luck!
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JAYGIB9 · #8 (**permalink**) 12-09-2002, 03:38 AM

I have a baby corn and a baby Texas rat and both eat f/t pinkies in a deli cup with the lid on inside their enclosure and undisturbed. Sometimes in the dark. Just leave them in a deli cup with it for a little while and go away. After a couple feedings try putting the pinky in the deli cup with the lid off and letting the snake crawl from your hand into the deli cup. After that a few times you can most likely feed them f/t straight out of your palm if you hold still enough, and definitely wash your hands first.
Justin Gibson
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najaboy · #9 (**permalink**) 12-09-2002, 04:14 AM

With baby corns, it would behoove you to try brained pinkies, scented pinkies, and small anoles. You'll probably end up having the most success using live small anoles.

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JJshiv · #10 (**permalink**) 12-09-2002, 05:15 AM

I have tried the feeding in their enclosures in the deli cup and in different lighting, they just arent interested. I think they are somewhat intimidated by the size. Next feeding I am going to try live pinks and maybe a head of a pink if that doesnt work and then I will just have to go with the anole. The only reason I am reluctant is because the anoles around here are about $5-$6 a piece which weekly would add up fast for 3 corns. Thanks for all the suggestions.
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JJshiv · #11 (**permalink**) 12-09-2002, 05:36 AM

After posting my last post I decided to try the head of a pinky on the corn that hadnt eaten sice I had it and he took it within 5 minutes. I cut the head off right at the base of the skull. He was crawling around in his cage so I decided I wouldnt mess with him so I cleared away all the aspen bedding from a corner of the tank and put in the pinky head. He came right over and checked it out for a couple minutes then started swallowing it by the back of the head on the exposed part. Thanks to everyone who had suggestions and especially herp hag. Im going to try this method on the other irregular eaters and see how it goes. Herp Hag, have you tried feeding the rest of the body after the head or at a different feeding?
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Blackwidow_woman · #12 (**permalink**) 12-22-2002, 06:49 PM

[img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_frown.gif[/img] Funny thing you should mention snow corns,, my snow corn when i first got it would eat good 2 times a week but would always regurge. then the fallowing week would do fine. Then it got to the point where it would only eat once a week and was very slow to eat the pinkie. holding the pinkie in front of it as it moved around finaly got it to take it, very slow eater as my albino would take prey the min. i droped it in, 2 times a week and has no probs..But have herd that from few other people i know they have had probs with there snow corns as well... [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_confused.gif[/img] [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_frown.gif[/img]
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savannah_babe · #13 (**permalink**) 01-03-2003, 04:56 PM

ive always had feeding problems with my corn. the only way i can get him to eat is to stick him in a deli cup, and wait. the first couple of times he was iffy..but now he goes right after it np. but i always feed pk( unless its a pinky..) in a seperate container [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img] good luck with your new lil guy [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]
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Pat · #14 (**permalink**) 01-13-2003, 08:12 PM

I had a baby corn that wouldnt eat anything..he wouldnt eat brained pinkies..nothing..no matter what method I tried. A friend suggested using some "lizard maker"..the drops you apply to pinkies to make them smell like anoles..and it worked like a charm. About 4 meals with the drops..then he has eaten normally since.
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