I'm planning on getting a cornsnake for my husband for his birthday but since I'm the one who's always home I've been doing all the research for it. I plan on getting her from vmsherp.com, and keeping her in a 20 gallon tank. but I've had questions along the way... I've read so much on live vs frozen mice but I was confused on if you could do both? the closest pet store is like a hour away, so if need be I would like to feed frozen, but I don't want them to get like used to them. I have a bearded dragon, and so I have an idea on letting reptiles get used to their habitat before you start handiling them but how long should I wait? I know snakes are alot different, and I'd ask a per store but frankly I don't trust them. if anyone has and advice or anything pleaser help! Thanks!
Whether or not you can do both live and F/T depends entirely on the individual snake - some snakes will not readily switch to F/T prey after being fed live for some time, others will alternate between the two no problem. Corn snakes generally have decent feeding responses so alternating shouldn't be as big of a deal for them as say, a ball python. I personally prefer F/T because they are more cost effective and reliable on sizes - not to mention it is much safer for the snake and the rodent was humanely euthanized prior to being frozen (little to no suffering on both ends is always a win in my book). As for handling, I would follow similar rules to that of a lizard. Allow them to settle in for a week or two before handling to ensure that they are used to their new environment and to limit the additional stress that comes with a move. Also, be sure to wait 36-48 hours after feeding before handling or you will risk regurgitation. Hope that helps some = )
I agree with Jeffreh completely. I fed Kiki frozen pinkies because it was more humane than live food. And mice do fight back which can be a problem. And try to trick it into feeding it frozen. The way my friend, Clair, introduced her snakes to frozen food was she first put it in the microwave for 30-60 seconds, to trick them into thinking it was warm. Then had these feeding thongs and moved it along the ground for her pythons to chase after it. It worked quite well by the looks of it. I just wanted to add this to what Jeffreh said.
You do always want to offer any prey item warm and dry - Frozen rodents should be thawed throughly and warmed up. I tend to prefer allowing the rodents to thaw overnight in the fridge then placing them into a plastic baggy submerged in hot water until they are completely warm. Microwaves work, but you must be cautious as they will cook the inside of the rodent first which can make things dangerous if you overdo it. Also: Rodents can explode in the microwave if cooked too long.... very messy. If microwaving its usually best to allow the rodent to come to room temperature and receive a quick zap in the microwave for a few seconds. (I've had medium rats begin "popping" after only 10 seconds of being nuked, but my microwave pwns).
I only feed frozen/thawed because a live mouse can bite your snake. Frozen is easy to store till you need it. I buy frozen online because the chain type pet store frozens are insanely expensive and smallish, boney.
This might sound weird but I have noticed that for hard to feed snakes, defrosting the rodent outside (in shade)sparks their interest.
thank you so much! it all really helps. I'm just worried that his cornsnake will try to strike when we first go to hold her... we were at this petstore we always go to and we went to hold their little corsnake and he wanted nothing to do about it. but his full grown male loves us he only comes out when we are around (according to the owner) I'm still really sketchy of snakes so it's hard for me to just be extrmemly confident and hope she don't bite me.
Don't worry, a baby corn snake probably won't even be able to break the skin even if it does strike (which is rare). They are kind of skittish when they are young, and their quick movements can be unnerving, but they tame up very quickly with regular handling. The mental stress is honestly a lot worse than any damage a little corn could do, promise. =)
