Trouble with new elaphe obsoleta...

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Posted by Nyx on July 20, 2001 at 13:50:28:

I just purchased a hatchling black rat snake [at least, I think so...definitely some species of rat snake] from our local pet store. They're not part of a big chain and usually have beautiful animals; I bought my kingsnake there and he's fat and healthy.

Unfortunately, it's not so for this little guy. He was the last hatchling left of the batch, and although I did check out his mouth and vent for signs of infection, I neglected to notice the slight kink in his neck, just under the head - he was whipping quite fiercely when handled, and the slight bend looks like a defense posture.

Checking him out a day later - not only does he have this s-bend in the neck, but he also has a very, very slight kink in the tail. I do not want to return him - I've already fallen in love with him - but I need to know if this will prevent him from eating or not. His head is not twisted off to the side, the neck is just slightly bent, but I'm still very worried, since he refuses to eat a very small brained pinky. [shows no interest in it whatsoever, and was apparently last fed on Saturday.]

Should I let him settle in a few more days before trying to feed him again? He looks a little thin...compared to my fat juvenile king...but then again, I don't know what a normal hatchling should look like. I'd give him barely a foot, probably less.

Thanks for the help...

Nyx,
Zerah the kingsnake,
and Philip the black rat.

Follow Ups:

Re: Trouble with new elaphe obsoleta... patricia sherman 07/27/01 (0)
Re: Trouble with new elaphe obsoleta... Chris B 07/20/01 (0)

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: I just purchased a hatchling black rat snake [at least, I think so...definitely some species of rat snake] from our local pet store. They're not part of a big chain and usually have beautiful animals; I bought my kingsnake there and he's fat and healthy. : Unfortunately, it's not so for this little guy. He was the last hatchling left of the batch, and although I did check out his mouth and vent for signs of infection, I neglected to notice the slight kink in his neck, just under the head - he was whipping quite fiercely when handled, and the slight bend looks like a defense posture. : Checking him out a day later - not only does he have this s-bend in the neck, but he also has a very, very slight kink in the tail. I do not want to return him - I've already fallen in love with him - but I need to know if this will prevent him from eating or not. His head is not twisted off to the side, the neck is just slightly bent, but I'm still very worried, since he refuses to eat a very small brained pinky. [shows no interest in it whatsoever, and was apparently last fed on Saturday.] : Should I let him settle in a few more days before trying to feed him again? He looks a little thin...compared to my fat juvenile king...but then again, I don't know what a normal hatchling should look like. I'd give him barely a foot, probably less. : Thanks for the help... : Nyx, : Zerah the kingsnake, : and Philip the black rat.

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