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Thread: Snake question

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    Featured Member kandie_kitten's Avatar
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    Default Snake question

    This is a very odd situation:

    We have a friend who is an animal control officer, and he occasionally gets animals who he tries to relocate into good homes.

    Well, he called us today saying he had a Corn snake, and asked if we would take it.

    The story is, this woman's teenage son, bought this snake, didn't take care of it, and eventually, the snake escaped. The snake has been missing for THREE months.

    The lady was freaking out, saying it hadn't eaten that whole time, how we had to feed it immediately, etc.

    Well, she takes it out, and it is the fattest snake I've ever seen. It's skin was actually stretched, to the point where it looked like it was going to burst, she's so fat.

    So apparently, this lady has some insane infestation of something in her walls, if this snake was gone for three months and is this fat.

    Anyway, my question is, how should I care for this snake now? I've had many snakes before, but I've never had one that's been living in the cold, eating wild prey, etc. Are there any special precautions? Should I be concerned at how fat this snake is?

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    Default Re: Snake question

    Snakes are wild animals; put it out and let itself and nature take care of it.

    I don't understand why people take in WILD animals as pets. Many have no real idea how they will take care of them after those animals become full-grown. What are they thinking??
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    Default Re: Snake question

    I would suggest talking to a vet about how fat the snake is. As for precautions, from what I've read, corn snakes are very good at escaping, so keep it in a secure setting.

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    Featured Member kandie_kitten's Avatar
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    Default Re: Snake question

    Quote Originally Posted by threlayer View Post
    Snakes are wild animals; put it out and let itself and nature take care of it.

    I live in Philadelphia. I don't think it would like all that cement very much.

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    Default Re: Snake question

    Actually it would. I'd just release it.


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    Default Re: Snake question

    He/she needs to relax, digest, then shed. Mist the Vivarium everyday and leave a bath of warm water for the snake to relax in if it needs to.

    Expect a massive snake poop in the near future

    You feed live in the U.S dont you? Its illegal in the U.K ,we gotta use frozen. Eating live when the Corn was loose would probably put him off frozen food now, so he may only choose live from now on.
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    Featured Member kandie_kitten's Avatar
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    Default Re: Snake question

    I will not release a captive bred snake in center city philadelphia. That's just grossly irresponsible. There's already an epidemic of large snakes being reported to animal control because irresponsible owners just set them free when they can't take care of them anymore, and I won't add to the problem.

    I'm happy to keep and care for the snake, I was just wondering if there were any special considerations since he was in the cold for so long.

    Thanks for the advice Jezzebelle. And we are allowed to feed live in the US, but I prefer to feed frozen mice to prevent damage to my snakes. But yes, he's refusing to eat frozen as of now, even when I make it move with tongs, so I may have to go to live.

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    Default Re: Snake question

    ^^^YES! Absolutely do NOT release a captive bred snake. Or ANY captive/pet animal.Not only is that cruel to the snake who has not had to hone hunting instincts...it can HORRIBLY affect native populations. We are having a HUGE problem in FL right now because of this. Iguanas that are not native,but were released by irresponsible pet owners have wreaked havoc on local vegetation and completely thrown off the natural cycle. Same with released snakes..particularly Burmese Pythons.

    Corn snakes are not native to the northeast. Releasing pets into the wild is one of the most irresponsible and selfish things you can do. Never ever EVER do this.

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    Featured Member Jezzebelle's Avatar
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    Default Re: Snake question

    Quote Originally Posted by kandie_kitten View Post

    I'm happy to keep and care for the snake, I was just wondering if there were any special considerations since he was in the cold for so long.

    Thanks for the advice Jezzebelle. And we are allowed to feed live in the US, but I prefer to feed frozen mice to prevent damage to my snakes. But yes, he's refusing to eat frozen as of now, even when I make it move with tongs, so I may have to go to live.
    Im thinking maybe he would need a massive U.V top up aswell as a heat up? Im guessing you know that already How old is he/she?

    The feeding thing-it annoys me in the UK when Herp owners who dont know shit boast about wanting to feed live. Dont they know how sharp rodents teeth are??? Plus captive bred snakes are usualy not that good as killing so quickly and are more likely to lose an eye.

    How hot is your defrosted food? Maybe this snake is still full up, greedy fat thing
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    Featured Member Brooke's Avatar
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    Default Re: Snake question

    I've heard that snakes won't go back to frozen food after live, so chances are that will never work.

    With any new pet, especially one that has been through a trauma (which I am sure a captive snake fending for itself for three months would experience), the best course of action is to take it to the vet immedaitely. In addition to checking it's health and weight, the vet is in the BEST position to give you advice about caring for your new snake.

    I looked them up online and corn snakes are beautiful. Enjoy your new pet!

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    Featured Member kandie_kitten's Avatar
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    Default Re: Snake question

    ^They are very pretty! And this one in particular has very bright, vibrant coloring. He's a real beauty, and vert nice to handle.

    We took him to the vet today. She said he's obese, but otherwise perfectly healthy. I just have to have the typical hot rock (It's a moderated temperature, so it won't burn him, I checked!) but overall, I have a healthy snake.

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    Featured Member Jezzebelle's Avatar
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    Default Re: Snake question

    Awww, have ya thought of a name yet?
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    Default Re: Snake question

    Yes, i also looked them up, they are gorgeous, did you name it something cute or what?
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    Default Re: Snake question

    damn loose for three months and it's obese.?lol she has a hell of a rodent problem somewhere. i love corn snakes it was the first kind of snake i had.
    glad you took it in. why would anyone think it is ok to let it go in philly wtf...
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    Default Re: Snake question

    Get rid of the hot rock immediately. Serious man, they're the devil.

    By an undertank heating pad.

    Corn snakes are really great snakes. Pretty even tempered, good feeders.
    Do some research online, you'll find an assload of info.

    If you have any specific questions, drop me a line: [email protected]



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    Member Idmonstre's Avatar
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    Default Re: Snake question

    i have a corn snake which i have had for, oh, 5 years now i think (Circe).. i'v had another one which escaped. Circe escaped too, mind you, 3 times or so. Usually when i had her out. she'd sit somewhere for 5 min not moving, i'd turn my head for half a min and she'd be gone. Now she is a big 5ft adult and doesn't get lost as easily. You don't actually need any heat light or uv for corn snakes though i would suggest a heat pad (not rock). I'd go with a 30 gallon aquarium for an adult corn snake (or larger obviously). As for live food vs frozen... hmm. mine has been eating live lately because she seems to be turning her nose up at the frozen. Just be sure her home is secure. *sigh*
    also... what?! it's illegal to feed live in UK? really?!
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    Default Re: Snake question

    From what I've seen..corn snakes seem to be among the big escape artists of the pet snake world! I saw many corn snake patients over the years who had escaped for some length of time!

    And I have to agree that hot rocks are the devil...we treated MANY burns from them..some pretty severe. They tend to have spots that get way hotter,surge in power/heat...NOT good. Pads/lights are better choices for heat. They heat more evenly and dont cause burns.

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    Featured Member kandie_kitten's Avatar
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    Default Re: Snake question

    I've tried a variety of heat pads with my other snakes, and they were a nightmare. One sparked and caused a small fire.

    This heat rock is pretty awesome. It's covered, to protect the reptile's skin, and has an adjustment (like a straightening iron) so you can modulate the temperature.

    And our last corn snake was a little Houdini too, so we have him in a 50 gallon locking lid-tank, with 4 additional padlocks haha.

    He's eating now. He refuses to eat frozen, but he's eating live baby mice happily, the little glutton.

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    Featured Member Jezzebelle's Avatar
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    Default Re: Snake question

    Quote Originally Posted by Idmonstre View Post
    also... what?! it's illegal to feed live in UK? really?!
    -Crimson

    Yup, and defrosting Rats in a bucket is oh so much much ...NOT!

    (some leak out thier rear end when they are almost defrosted-yuk)
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    Default Re: Snake question

    ALL snakes are escape artists.
    My ball python got out at least three times.

    Man I miss him



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    Featured Member kandie_kitten's Avatar
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    Default Re: Snake question

    ^Well feeding a rat to a ball python is just foolish. Rats fight fiercely, and ball pythons will randomly go on hunger strikes, and refuse to eat, for months, so you have to be extremely careful what you put into a cage with them..

    And snakes are very picky eaters. They will starve themselves to death sometimes, rather than eat whatever is around.

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    Default Re: Snake question

    Ya but Ball's are notoriously picky eaters in general. It can be a bitch getting them to take prekilled sometimes.

    You should have a seperate feeding tank anyways.
    Always remove a food critter if it isn't eaten somewhat promptly and you can avoid your snake getting torn up.



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    Default Re: Snake question

    Quote Originally Posted by Jezzebelle View Post
    Yup, and defrosting Rats in a bucket is oh so much much ...NOT!

    (some leak out thier rear end when they are almost defrosted-yuk)
    Using time? One of the best ways to defrost is to make sure what you want defrosted is enclosed in a sealed wrap and place it in a bowl in your sink. Turn the water on (1/8 or so pressure) and let it keep going once full. A little mouse shouldn't take to long.
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    Default Re: Snake question

    Aaaah, see,I used to use warm/hot water in a bucket, and replace the water once it got too cool. Very hotwater would result in a burst rat. I didnt keep them sealed either, as I used to squeeze the tummy and chest to make sure no icicles were left.
    You way sounds good, I feel guilty about letting the water run though, LOL

    I dont have Boas anymore, miss them dearly But dont miss defrosting, LOL
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    Default Re: Snake question

    LOL I used to love grossing people out with my stash of prekilled rodents.



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