Runt

emilie · 02-23-11, 05:11 PM

My corn is atleast 8 months old however I got her over the weekend.
From what I could measure shes between 14 and 15 inches long.
I got her in a small rubbermaid that had been her home for the last 6 months however now shes in a 20 gallon.
The person told me to feed her a pinky every 7 days. Can I progress to a bigger size?

I attached a picture of her current habitat and one of me holding her so you can best see her size.

CanadianEryx · 02-23-11, 06:07 PM

The general rule for feeding snakes is the prey should be 1-2 times larger than the diameter of your snake--it needs to leave a small bulge when eaten. From the photo, I would stick with pinkies for a bit, although you can sometimes find small fuzzies that are around the same size as large pinkies--check out the size of prey items the next time you shop for them and keep in mind the loose rule stated above. You could also try to feed your snake a couple of pinkies at a single feeding if (s)he still seems hungry after one. Good luck and let us know how it goes!

presspirate · 02-23-11, 06:10 PM

I would move her up to a fuzzy, or perhaps offer her two pinkies for a few feedings and then move her up.

Lankyrob · 02-23-11, 06:14 PM

You needto add an additional hide so that there is one at the hot side and one at the cold side, otherwise snakey has no choice about where he hides away and cant thermoregulate properly.

mld · 02-23-11, 07:13 PM

Wondering if a younger snake should be fed every 5 days as oppose to 7 day!

infernalis · 02-23-11, 07:42 PM

It's nearly impossible to overfeed a baby.

They are little chow hounds.

As for runt status, I have quite a few runts, some I had given to me, some that were born here, and they grow up fine, just smaller than most.

emilie · 02-23-11, 08:41 PM

Thanks guys!
I put a make-shift hide in there untill I can get to the pet store, and I will try to feed her 2 on Friday.....

infernalis · 02-23-11, 09:59 PM

Why spend money on a hide? small cardboard boxes work great, those dog food bowls with the hand grips on the bottom make double duty water bowls, the snake will hide under it.

I find the small ones at dollar stores all the time.

The aquarium section at wal mart has cool things for a lot less than most pet stores that work great for hides.

The ones I like are sold as "neon cave" (ask a wal mart employee in the fish tank section) they are about $3 and are decorative as well.

This blue water bowl is normally about $1 most places I see them... and the snakes spent a lot of time exploring under that sheet of cardboard too.

Marica · 02-23-11, 10:13 PM

Bah! When you only have one baby, spoil it...decorate that cage to your hearts content

Adding another hide is a good start, they should have one on the warm side of their cage and one on the cool side.

Your corn looks like it has a good body shape. Mine that are about that size are on 2 pinks. A good feeding guideline is the Munson Plan, and I emphasize guideline as the mouse to snake ratio is a good method as well, you just have to figure out what works for you and your snake.

emilie · 02-23-11, 11:06 PM

Your right wayne those are great ideas but I plan on spoiling her

I can't help it, I have a shopping problem tee hee

infernalis · 02-24-11, 10:24 PM

No offense, but your spoiling yourself

and that's quite fine.

Snakes don't care how pretty the cage is.

emilie · 02-25-11, 12:44 PM

^ true ^

*UPDATE* I just fed her 2 pinkies and there still is no noticable buldge.
So a fuzzie next friday?

presspirate · 02-25-11, 12:46 PM

Sounds about right.

2006gt · 03-02-11, 11:35 AM

id say she is ready for a fuzzy and as long as she gets it down you have nuthin to worry about it might look like she is struggling but she prob isnt and you shouldnt worry. good luck!!

emilie · 03-08-11, 11:39 PM

she ate a fuzzie!