Poor Corn :(

TerrorFox · 09-28-04, 09:38 AM

I woke up this morning I looked into my snakes tank, to my supprise it was all curled up stuck to a peice of packing tape I used to fassen my tempertature probe to the roof. Im guessing It climbed the probe and somehow it got stuck to the tape. Anyways, when I looked at It I was like "I wonder if it can get out of that" I went away for about 2 minutes then came back, I saw it struggling to try and get the tape off. so then I pulled the tape off the side and pulled the first peice off its head (Maybe not such a good idea because it later snapped at me when I was getting the other parts of the tape off) then its tail and body ect. The goofy thing kept getting itself stuck to the tape even after I did this, it was maddening. Well after I got the tape off it didnt show any signs of agression towards me like It sometimes does when I pick it up (still not used to humans) so I wonder, did It know I was helping it, or did it just think I was being an ***hole?

I feel really bad for Meryll the jungle corn, It seems alright now but that must've been some night stuck to packing tape at the top of the tank..

Shad0w · 09-28-04, 10:00 AM

LOL.. somewhat comical

Ya should have taken pics

rwg · 09-28-04, 10:05 AM

I'm sure everyone is going to tell you this, but tape is a no-no anywhere your animals can get to. Try using hot glue or aquarium grade silicone to stick things down.

rg

TerrorFox · 09-28-04, 10:10 AM

If I knew where my digital camera is I would've.

Also I have tape holding screens over my vents and the sticky part faces inside the tank, the snake has noses at It and gotten stuck but then was able to pull itself off it so I thought it would be able to do that. But Im just letting my temp probe hang for now and I gave the corn a climb stick so it stops climbing the probe and other wires.

Shes seems alright now after hiding for 30 minutes.

vanderkm · 09-28-04, 10:26 AM

Tape is a potential disaster for snakes, especially young ones with thin skin. You are fortunate that you were able to get her 'unstuck' without any major damage or tearing of her skin.

As rwg says, silicone or hotglue (done in advance with time to cure) is a better option for sticking things in cages. You might want to consider replacing the tape on your vents.

A possible reason she was not aggressive toward you after you got her loose is that she was exhausted. While snakes can move rapidly when required, and can put up a struggle when desperate, once they have used up the energy supply of their muscles, they can appear cooperative because they simply don't have the energy to struggle or defend themselves any more. I think this is more likely than that she appreciated your efforts to rescue her.

Glad it worked out ok for you (and hopefully no lasting damage to her) this time and hope your experience will be an example to others.

mary v.

TerrorFox · 09-28-04, 10:47 AM

Yeah, Dont use tape that snakes can get themselves stuck to. when I was getting it off I was afraid of tearing the skin because it was so loose but I just pulled it off slowly and lightly. ****ing packing tape.

Tim_Cranwill · 09-28-04, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TerrorFox
Yeah, Dont use tape that snakes can get themselves stuck to.

Just don't use ANY tape. PERIOD. Use a glue gun, silicone, wieghts, twist ties... ANYTHING but tape. Don't let YOUR mistake cause the snake's demise.

Quote:

Originally posted by TerrorFox
****ing packing tape.

I would say the tape did its job...

gonesnakee · 09-28-04, 01:34 PM

Snakes & tape are a bad combo. This is the second case of this I've come across in the last month. If anyone has snake/tape problems (you never should but) this is what you do: Soak the snake/tape in appropriate temp bath for a few minutes if possible, this will make the adhesive on most tape much less sticky right away & it will quite often come off way easier. Also isopropryl alcohol can be swabbed on the sticky areas left as it breaks down the glues etc. also & is harmless to your snake. I would not recomend using the alcohol anywhere near the snakes face though as breathing it in is pretty much the only harm that could be done to the snake by it & they like us don't like that strong smell much either. The risk of scale damage removing tape is extremely high & must be done extremely gently, especially with a young snake. Once wounds are there risk of secondary infection & death are very real or the overall ordeal can be enough to put the young ones into shock which can also lead to a quick death. Remember we are talking about a baby here. I would never recomend using tape for anything with any snake ever myself as mentioned silicone or hot glue can be used to affix things or fill gaps or holes or better yet get the right lids etc. to begin with. Hopefully the little one wasn't too stressed & I would recomend leaving it alone for a day or 2 to relax before handling or feeding. Good Luck & hopefully everything is fine. Live & learn DOH! Mark

zero&stich · 09-28-04, 02:30 PM

I'm glad your corn is alright.
May I also suggest binder clips? I'm usin 2 on my rubbermaid enclosure housing a pine. Works great! I'd just super-glue the damn probe, lol. Those suction cups are a pain in the @ss.
May I also suggest a book on basic corn husbantry.
As for the tape thing, important thing is your herp is fine and I'm sure even the most advanced hobbyist has made mistakes before

Take care and glad to hear ur jungle corn is fine. I personally like that phase of the corn very much.

TerrorFox · 09-28-04, 03:26 PM

The corn seems to trust me a little more it didnt show any agression or squriming when I handled it for the daily herp time. Maybe it knows im a friend now. I peeled it off slowly and gently, I see no visable damage so Im pretty sure Im in the clear. I was considering a soak when I did it but I didnt need to.

zero&stich · 09-28-04, 03:51 PM

Well thats good. But if it has not fed yet for you for at least 3 times, handling should be postponed. Corns have the life expecinty or the cabability(I can't spell, lol) of living for 20+ years, so waiting a few weeks shouldn't be a problem. You have a lifetime to handle and spend time with it.

I think I mentioned this but a 20$ book on basic corn husbantry would also be the first step. And is not expensive when you think about the inticial cost to "set up" the animal and feed properally. That alone is usually more expensive than the book(s) themselves. The net is ok but as you found out bout the temp issues you got different opinions so not all info on the net is accurate enough.

Always,
Jess
PS Jungle corns rock!!

wizbit13 · 09-28-04, 04:56 PM

Quote : LOL.. somewhat comical

Ya should have taken pics

Not very comical in my opinion. That snake could have done serious injury or worse. Anyways i'm glad for you and the snake that you got it off ok. Do yourself a favour and get the rest of the tape out of there before he gets stuck again.

Regards

Adam