Corn snake question

[Katronmaster]

My snake has been snubbing mice for about the last week and a half. She's getting a sort of 'dry skin' look to her (A bit flakey in spots), but isn't any duller in hue. She's active, and still 'burrows' under her paper towels and basks on her favorite branch, perhaps a bit more active than usual but likely because the house is warmer now. Could she just be getting ready to shed, or may there be something else going on?

 

[JungleGuts]

im thinking shed but im woundering about the flaky skin..perhaps your keeping it to dry? also check for mites....

-dan

 

[Katronmaster]

I checked her over for mites, no sign of them. I'll see about increasing humidity and keep an eye on her. I'm still a bit paranoid since I lost a baby corn a few months back (Starved itself)

 

[JungleGuts]

I checked her over for mites, no sign of them. I'll see about increasing humidity and keep an eye on her. I'm still a bit paranoid since I lost a baby corn a few months back (Starved itself)

thats weard that it starved itself...mayb these problems are somewhere in your set up..what are your average temps and humidity? What size tank, what kind of substrate, lights, ect?

 

[Katronmaster]

The little corn had started regurgitating its mice, and starved. Despite temp increases and using the tiniest pinkies possible. A local herp expert suspected it may have had internal sores (It came from a pretty lousy breeder, a rescue)

The current one is in a 28G long tank, paper towel substrate. Average temp is 72 (night) to about 82 in the day. She has a full spectrum light for basking, a decent sized dish for soaking and drinking (Water changed dailly) And several things for climbing and hiding in: branches, half logs, mock rock hide.

She's rather active, as always in constant pursuit for a nice, high spot.

 

[JungleGuts]

huh well your setup seems to be just fine, my guess would be geting ready to shed. i hope so! keep us updated.

-dan

 

[atavuss]

how old and what size is your corn?

 

[Katronmaster]

3.5 feet and roughly a year and a half, not fully accurate as she came from another person who just had a guess.

 

[Tleilaxu]

Does she have a water dish to soak in? Mine likes to do that. As for not eating mice try smaller rats, or other rodents maybe she does not like mice.... you never know.

 

[Katronmaster]

She has a dish, and has only ever had mice before. Still not eating...

 

[Tleilaxu]

Try rats or some other rodent. Is she to cold? Also is she going to molt? If things don't change in a month then take her to the vet.

 

[ScorpDude]

Get rid of the full spectrum lighting, the snake doesn't need it and it will only cause stress (nocturnal snakes don't like bright lights).

Try using a heatmat on a thermostat to give a warm end of 86-88f and a cool end of room temperature. The snake will be able to choose an optimum temperature for digestion.

The snake is possibly dehydrated, try giving the snake a warm bath (not cold, just warm enough so that when you put your hand in you don't feel any temperature difference) to help the skin and if it wants to drink it will. It may be moulting, you'll know soon if it is.

 

[Katronmaster]

Righto, thank you. Still no shedding, I'll try her again with a mouse tomorrow. If this keeps up, I'll take her to the local exotic vet to be sure it's nothing that could be deemed a real danger.

Also, where does one order a heat mat with a thermostat? So far, all I've seen are the snadard sort you just plug in.

 

[padkison]

You can get a lamp dimmer switch (ready to use for table lamps) at Lowes or Walmart for about $10-$15. This is a rheostat rather than a thermostat, you'll have to adjust until your temps are about right. I run 3 heat pads for roaches off one.

 

[Katronmaster]

Well, today she decided she was hungry, and munched a fuzzy mouse just as if it were the usual feeding day.

I'm confused, but glad she's eating again.