New to this

[molly]

Hi
I am new to this. Have read and read and read and now have a hatchling from a pal whose corns had babies.
He let me take him as my son couldn't wait though he hasn't eaten or shed yet. He is 9 days old. We offered a pinky today.He had a bit of a smell but didn't eat it.
Yesterday, his eyes looked very milky and i thought he was getting ready to shed. Today his eyes are black and clear and there is no sign of him having shed. Is this normal? I'm not worried about him not eating yet but was wondering when it is likely for them to take the first meal? I have read conflicting reports.
He is in a starter tank with heat pad under one end.

[Shrimply]

Hi,
If you want advice you are in the right place. Yes a few days before a shed the eyes clear so every thing is fine. Had the snake eaten before you got it because if it hasn't you may have a struggle on your hands although it is normal for them to not eat during shed so nothing to worry about yet.

[molly]

No.it hadn't eaten before i got it. This is my friend's first time with babies. He has 5. None of them have eaten yet or shed.
The one i have was the first born.
I was going to offer a pinky again on wednesday. Does this seem ok?
Thanks in advance.

[Shrimply]

Most people advise you don't buy a snake without it having at least 2 meals each but the majority of snakes eat no problem after the snake sheds offer it the pinky and fingers crossed it will eat. Oh and it is probably best you don't handle it during the shed or before it has eaten.

[molly]

We're not handling it. Have lifted the log off so the kids can look, but no-one is picking it up. The chap who let me have him is a novice to this with babies! We know that they don't usually get sold til they have eaten, but as that wasn't the issue, we figured there was as much chance of him eating with me as there was with him,so he let me take him.

[Shrimply]

I see what you mean. As i say as long as he is happy and active (won't be because of shed at the moment) every should be alright. I hope every thing goes well for you and as soon as he is settled in pics would be great.

[lozzer]

Also spray the inside of its tank with water to raise the humidity otherwise you will have a few problems.

[molly]

ok.thanks.will spray his tank now.

[Shrimply]

I have never sprayed my tanks. I put in a larger bowl and that is all. It all depends on what sort of climate it is and also the snake, they are all different

[John Pilling]

Hi Molly, yes spray twicw a day woth 1 spray whilst in shed This id the spray bottle i use.

Shedding will be compleate within 5-14 days of the eyes turning blue, taking longer as they get older.

I would advise against feeding at all now untill the snake has shed. It's a new born so it'll be absolutley fine till then as it'll still have a lot of yolk in it's stomac from the egg, so don't worry yet, if in 3-4 weeks it still hasn't eaten then you have a feeding problem, but as it stands this all sounds normal.

Really don't worry and welcome to the forum.

[Amber]

I have never sprayed my cornsnake either, and have always got perfect sheds. You could give your corn some moss, my snakes seem to love it! ;D
My cornsnake doesn't have moss however, or an extra large waterbowl... :S

[molly]

so, do i just spray the tank?

[lozzer]

Yes i have a large waterbowl for all of mine but spraying does help so yes spray the inside of the tank twice a day.

[John Pilling]

1 squrt twice a day or 2 squrts once a day (i do 2 once a day), but only whilst the snake is in shed, unless it's a boa or python (again depending on type of boa or python), as boa's and pythons generally come from a lot more humid area then corns.

[Amber]

You could spray it just to be safe, but I have found no need to with my corn. Try both, maybe?

[Shrimply]

Since it is a new a snake i would spray this time to avoid stress but in the future try it without spraying. I found that my snakes shed fine without spraying but yours may be different.

[sparkle**]

Hey! Wellcome to the forum. I have a moss box in the corner of my viv and just give it a little spray when i know their gonna shead.

[Vicki]

I bred my corns this year so have had lots of little ones to contend with (about 25 in total).

First of all he will be best in a small container until he starts eating (which they dont usually do until after the first shed). I have used two types a 12x6 inch and a 6x4inch, i found that they started eating better in the smaller of the two. Use kitchen roll for substrate. Once they start eating you can move them up a size. Sandwich or take away boxes work quite well.

Do not handle (besides when cleaning) and disturb as little as possible. At this young age they are usually still in the hands of the breeder, you still need to treat it as newborn until it has had at least 3 unaided feeds. Your snake will feel very vunerable and scared if you disturb or handle it. It needs to be in a quiet room with as much natural light as possible at the moment.

I do not spray the hatchlings at all and all of them shed great, nor do I spray my adults unless they have difficulty shedding.

So after he has shed you can offer a pinkie. You can put it in warm water to defrost then just run it under the hot tap to warm it (or use a hairdryer). Offer in the evening when it is dark. Put the pinkie in the snakes enclosure, disturbing as little as possible. Then leave it alone, dont even watch it. You will usually find they eat it, if not try again 2 days later. If you have no luck after trying a few times then come back and we will help you a little more.

Good luck ;D

[Vicki]

P.S they will shed withing 5-8 days of hatching in most cases, so he should shed in a day or two.

[molly]

Came home today to find him shedding. How long does it usually take the first time? He just has his head done at the moment.