My son bought a new baby corn at a local show in November and she has only eaten once since. We have tried all the tricks that his book told us. We have bought frozen ( defrosted) .we got live pinkies. He tried feeding at dusk in a quiet room. He has tried in the tank ,in a feeding container, using the feeding tweezers even. The book said to hold her sort of in the middle and gently tap the mouse along her lower body, that had no effect on her what-so-ever. We even rubbed the pinkie with our anole because the book said to try that.My husband couldn't resort to skinning the pinkies little head like the book said so we rubbed some chicken liver blood on it- YUCK. We took a fecal sample in to the vet and the vet said she was negative for parasites.Any suggestions on what to try next. She is in a 10 gal tank. There is a UTH in the corner but she seems to prefer the cooler side. the ambient temp is 77-81. He has a tube in there for her to hide in and her water dish.He uses aspen as subtrate. He has two other corns and they have never had feeding issues. His large female is quite the pig,lol
baby Corn not eating
- Thread starter rubym
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Alliemac
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My ball will only eat defrosted rats after I blast the head with a hairdryer until it's hot. Mice he takes no problem. :main_rolleyes: I know my sister has used the hairdryer trick to get her corn and balls to eat when they are being picky. The extra heat seems to help get their interest back. I've also gotten Mugsy to take rats that he's ignoring by gently swinging them right in front of him bumping his nose a little.
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Steven210
Guest
I recently got a baby corn as well... I fed her for the first time yesterday. They didnt have the smallest pinky mice left so I went a little bigger, and to my surprise she actually ate it. Are the mice too big you are trying to feed the baby? Maybe its too cool in the tank for her? I know the cool side of my tank is like 80 and the hot side is like 90
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Nigel4less
Guest
Most colubrids do fine at about 85-88. But corns are hardy and I`ve seen them thrive at just about any temperature from 75-95.
clear
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make sure when you thaw the pinkie out that it is nice and warm, put the corn and the pinkie in a small container in the dark and leave it for about 30 mins. See if that helps.
THE WHISPERER
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If none of those work I suggest force feeding it. Ive had to do this to a few babies to get them to thrive.
clear
New Member
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I agree with force feeding but only after a while of not eating. It should be the last resort! Try dipping a pinkie in chicken broth also, I have heard that helps.
We use small pinkies. We have used defrosted and live. Her ambient temps stay at 77 ( night) to 81 day. There is a UTH in the corner and it is 90 ( therm. with probe) in that area. She is in a 10 gal tank at the moment because we read that babies do better in a smaller area. We dipped the pinkie in chicken liver blood and she seemed interested but then wouldn't eat it. She did shed 2 days ago.I will have him weigh her tonight.....I like to look at them ( snakes) but can't bring myself to hold them yet. I'm getting better. I used to wouldn't allow a snake in the house,lol.
Young corns can be very reluctant to feed prier to shedding. Also the substrate temps should be around 80-85 degrees on the hot side that is it. Your young snake might be stressed out due to the higher temps.
The heat of the pinky mouse was going to be my first bet why your corn wasn't eating. Remember when you feel a pinkie it should feel slightly cool not warm or hot. When we feel something and it feels warm or hot to the touch its temp is greater than 96 degrees. Also washing the pinky off with a mild soap will get off any bad smells the snake doesn't like or recognized. This usually works with surprisingly great results! If that didn't do the trick try braining the pinky. Yes, I know, you want me to do what! Braining is when you cut the top of the pinkies skull exposing the brain. You can do this with a pair of cuticle scissors. For some reason the young snake picks up on the scent of the pinkies' brain. Trust me this works when all else fails. The last thing you want to do is force feed him. Its a very stressful procedure and can kill the snake if not done properly. The best of luck!
The heat of the pinky mouse was going to be my first bet why your corn wasn't eating. Remember when you feel a pinkie it should feel slightly cool not warm or hot. When we feel something and it feels warm or hot to the touch its temp is greater than 96 degrees. Also washing the pinky off with a mild soap will get off any bad smells the snake doesn't like or recognized. This usually works with surprisingly great results! If that didn't do the trick try braining the pinky. Yes, I know, you want me to do what! Braining is when you cut the top of the pinkies skull exposing the brain. You can do this with a pair of cuticle scissors. For some reason the young snake picks up on the scent of the pinkies' brain. Trust me this works when all else fails. The last thing you want to do is force feed him. Its a very stressful procedure and can kill the snake if not done properly. The best of luck!
We are waiting to get a pinkie tonight at the local pet store they have been out for 3 days.....then my husband is going to do the deed!!! She is still really active. I took the UTH out of the corner of her cage incase it was too warm. I just wish that she would eat like big She and He does. I am hoping that it will work. She did shed yesterday.
We got her November 14th and the breeder told us that she had eaten a defrosted pinkie that morn. We got her to eat on December 4th and she hasn't eaten since. We try a couple times a week. We have thrown away a ton of defrosted pinkies because we were told not to refreeze because of bacteria.
Ruby I would contact the breeder, 2 pinkies in about 3 months,that's not enough, which you guys already know. Young health corns should be taking a pinkie every week. I'll do some quick research on my end and call my corn guy to see what he says. But in the mean time call the guy you got her from see what he thinks.
I tried to call the number on the card that the guy gave us at the show and it was no longer in service. I am hoping that he will be at the Indianapolis show March 1st. I tried to get some pictures of her but we couldn't get her to hold still. I appreciate all of yur help. I called the vet and she doesn't do " force" feedings for clients.
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Brewster320
Guest
have you tried braining or scenting with lizard, frog, tuna juice, or chicken broth? Those are all really good methods. If that don't work you could offer a live anole or tree frog (although you probably wouldn't want to).
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