When To Start Feeding Baby Corn Snakes? | VenomousSnake

When To Start Feeding Baby Corn Snakes? If you’ve just welcomed one of these enchanting reptilian companions into your life, you’re in for a treat! These tiny serpents, with their mesmerizing patterns and gentle demeanor, are a joy to behold. However, as a responsible snake parent, you might be wondering when and how to kickstart their culinary journey.

Fear not, for in this informative piece, we’ll guide you through the wondrous process of feeding your adorable baby corn snake. Get ready to embark on a fascinating adventure, as we unravel the secrets to ensure your scaly friend thrives and flourishes in its new home!

When To Start Feeding Baby Corn Snakes?

Do baby corn snakes eat right after they hatch?

Usually the little ones will be between 8-12 inches long and may begin eating shortly after hatching. Once they emerge from their eggs, baby corn snakes have a yolk sac attached to their bodies. This yolk sac contains essential nutrients that sustain them for several days after hatching. During this time, they do not have a strong urge to feed as they rely on the nutrients from the yolk sac to support their initial growth and development.

After a few days, usually around 4 to 7 days, the yolk sac will be absorbed, and the baby corn snakes will start to exhibit signs of hunger. This is when they become more active and alert, showing interest in their surroundings and potentially seeking out food. It’s important to offer appropriately sized prey items, such as pinky mice or small feeder insects, that are proportional to their size. Offering food that is too large can be stressful or even harmful to the young snakes.

If a baby corn snake keeps doing this refuse food after its first shed It’s a good idea to start logging their weight and growth every day. Breeders usually monitor this information after hatching and keep feeding records. If you bought the snake from a trader, you will be able to request this information from them.

What do baby corn snakes eat?

Corn snakes eat rats in the wild and in captivity. In the wild, they also eat birds, frogs, lizards and other rodents. Baby corn snakes should be fed with pinkies.

The size of the snake will determine the size of the feeder rat. Choosing the right size power mouse is important. Too small and the snake won’t get enough nutrients to grow properly. Too big and the snake may have difficulty eating. It could also suffer internal damage.

The table below details feeding guidelines for snakes based on age. This is not set in stone. In fact, it’s best to choose a feeder rat based on your snake’s size rather than its age. Choose a rat that is the same thickness, but not thicker, as your snake’s midsection is the ideal size.

Age of the snake	Power supply mouse size	Power frequency
Cub:	Little finger	Every 5-7 days
Youth:	Blurry	Every 7-10 days
One year:	Small or Hopper	Every 7-10 days
Adult:	Adult or jumbo	Every 10-14 days

Remember, the larger the feeder animal, the longer it will take between feedings. If your corn snake is especially large and giant rats won’t cut it, try small rats. Rats offer more nutritional value. He also catches a mouse longer for a snake to digest. Make sure you adjust your feeding schedule accordingly.

How to feed a baby corn snake?

Feeding a baby corn snake requires some careful consideration and attention to ensure their health and well-being. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to properly feed a baby corn snake:

1. Wait for the Right Time: As mentioned earlier, baby corn snakes typically start showing signs of hunger around 4 to 7 days after hatching when their yolk sac is absorbed. Make sure the snake is active, alert, and moving around its enclosure before attempting to feed.

2. Choose the Right Food: Select appropriately sized prey items for your baby corn snake. For very young snakes, pinky mice (newborn mice) are a suitable choice. The prey should be about the same width as the snake’s thickest part of its body.

3. Prepare the Food: If you’re feeding frozen/thawed prey, thaw the prey item by placing it in a plastic bag and immersing it in warm water. Do not use a microwave or boiling water, as this can damage the nutrients in the prey.

4. Use Feeding Tongs: Never use your hands to feed your snake, as it might associate your scent with food and unintentionally bite you. Instead, use feeding tongs to hold the prey item.

5. Mimic Natural Behavior: Hold the prey with the tongs and gently wiggle it in front of the snake. This mimics the movement of live prey and stimulates the snake’s feeding response.

6. Offer the Prey: Hold the prey close to the snake’s head, allowing it to strike and constrict its prey. Be patient and give the snake time to grab the prey item. If the snake doesn’t strike immediately, gently move the prey around to keep its interest.

7. Leave the Snake Alone: Once the snake has grabbed the prey, let it eat in peace. Avoid disturbing the snake while it’s eating, as this can cause stress.

8. Correct Feeding Schedule: For baby corn snakes, feed them once every 5 to 7 days. Overfeeding can lead to health issues, so avoid offering food too frequently.

9. Monitor Digestion: After feeding, give the snake some time to digest its meal. You’ll notice a bulge in its body where the food is located. Make sure the enclosure’s temperature and humidity are appropriate to aid digestion.

10. Adjust Prey Size: As the snake grows, gradually increase the size of the prey to match its girth. This ensures proper nutrition and prevents regurgitation.

11. Clean Enclosure: After feeding, keep an eye out for any uneaten prey items. If the snake doesn’t eat the prey within a few hours, remove it from the enclosure to prevent it from rotting and causing hygiene issues.

Should I use vitamin or calcium powder?

Studies, like this one in Copeia, have shown that a snake’s growth is directly related to the amount of food it ingests. This includes the quality of nutrients, fats and minerals in the food.

Sprinkling your snake’s food with vitamin and/or calcium powder is something you can do for a growing snake. It’s not necessary, but it can be beneficial to their growth, especially for the young ones.

Coating food with these supplements also has the benefit of ensuring a snake gets all the nutrition it needs. This can be helpful for growing snakes or snakes that have lost their food and need a nutritional boost.

My little corn snake won’t eat

It’s not uncommon for corn snakes to go through periods of reduced appetite. There could be several reasons why your snake is not eating:

1. Environmental Factors: Ensure that the snake’s enclosure is set up properly. The temperature and humidity levels should be within the appropriate range for corn snakes. Incorrect conditions might lead to stress and a loss of appetite.
2. Recent Changes: Any recent changes in the snake’s environment, such as a new cage, relocation, or changes in lighting, can cause stress and affect eating habits.
3. Shedding: Snakes often lose their appetite when they are about to shed their skin. This is a natural process, and the snake will typically resume eating once the shedding is complete.
4. Seasonal Changes: Corn snakes might eat less during certain times of the year due to seasonal changes in their metabolism.
5. Health Issues: If your snake’s eating habits have changed suddenly and are accompanied by other signs like weight loss, lethargy, or respiratory issues, it might be wise to consult a reptile veterinarian. Internal parasites or other health issues could be causing the appetite loss.

Here are a few steps you can take to help encourage your snake to eat

1. Check Enclosure Conditions: Ensure that the temperature and humidity levels in the enclosure are appropriate for your corn snake’s needs.
2. Offer Properly Sized Prey: Make sure that the prey you’re offering is of an appropriate size for your snake. Too large or too small prey might discourage feeding.
3. Create a Hideaway: Provide a hiding spot in the enclosure where the snake feels secure. This will help reduce stress and encourage feeding.
4. Be Patient: Sometimes, snakes just go through phases where they don’t eat as much. Monitor your snake’s weight and overall health, and don’t panic if it skips a few meals.
5. Consult a Vet: If your snake’s appetite loss continues for an extended period or is accompanied by concerning symptoms, it’s advisable to consult a reptile veterinarian for a thorough check-up

How long can you keep mice frozen?

Feeder rodents can usually be kept frozen for up to 6 months. Ideally, they should be placed deep in the freezer to avoid partial thawing.

If you notice a small amount of freeze burn on a feeder rat, it can still be safely fed to the snake.

Thawing frozen mice

Defrost the little finger in warm water for 10-15 minutes. Do not use boiling water, as this can change the smell and texture of the little finger. You’ll know the mouse is thawed when you can poke it in the center and feel no lumps inside. Do not thaw a rat in the microwave or offer a partially thawed rat.

Baby corn snakes can be fed shortly after hatching. In all likelihood, they won’t eat until after their first shed. Don’t be alarmed if your baby corn snake refuses to eat for the first 1-2 weeks of its life.

After moulting, if your snake still refuses to eat, it may be time to try different feeding methods, such as container feeding or scent feeding. Force-feeding is a last resort and should only be practiced in an emergency situation.