Corn hatchling wont eat & dark patch on bottom?

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Corn hatchling wont eat & dark patch on bottom?

Postby Groenslang » Thu Feb 25, 2010 10:42 pm

Hey guys!

Some of you guys might remember the post that I had in the corn snake section of my new hatchlings. Well all of them are doing brilliantly except the one is getting me worried. First of all, let me get the background straight:

I keep my hatchlings in 11l addis tubs with plenty of ventilation holes. They are all housed individually on newspaper. Their temps are at room temperature in my flat which is about 27-29 degrees during the day and low 20s at night. All my other hatchlings eat like demons every 4 days (I drew up excel sheets on which I keep all of the info regarding their feedings, sheds, etc.).

My butter female ate the first feed which was two days after I got her (14 Feb) and she had her first shed with me on the 13th of Feb. She was the only one that I had to leave overnight in a feeding tub, all the others ate as soon as I offered the pinks to them. Since then she has not eaten although she still looks healthy. I have noticed a dark patch on her stomach that seems at an odd place (halfway down her body). She is my first animal that is so light in complexion so I don't know if this is normal or not. Here are some pics:

Image
The above pic shows where it is on her body
Image
A close up of the mark
Image
Another pic of the mark

Sorry about the poor quality of the pics, I took about 20 and only 3 came out half decent! the photos don't show it, but the mark is actually much darker in person. If anyone can help me or just put my fears to rest it would be appreciated!

Regards

Arno
The future depends on what we do in the present. - Mahatma Gandhi

Arno Davies
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Re: Corn hatchling wont eat & dark patch on bottom?

Postby hammies » Fri Feb 26, 2010 7:19 am

I have had snows and albino corns with the same mark and no ill effects. They all grew to adulthood with no problems.
I think it just because there are no checkering on the belly that this mark stands out so much.

I have also experienced hatchlings not feeding for a month and then start eating like demons.
Hope it helps
i'm not a complete idiot, some parts are still missing!!
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Re: Corn hatchling wont eat & dark patch on bottom?

Postby Groenslang » Fri Feb 26, 2010 7:22 am

Thanx Hammies! I have NO experience with such light corns! Have always had the darker morphs where the belly was filled with black!
The future depends on what we do in the present. - Mahatma Gandhi

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Re: Corn hatchling wont eat & dark patch on bottom?

Postby Bushviper » Fri Feb 26, 2010 9:13 am

What you see there is the gall bladder. I would be worried if you dont see it.

Many of the amelanistic snakes have this organ visible as babies and as they grow older the skin thickens and then you can no longer see it.
It is easier to ask for forgiveness than permission.

Those who are afraid to ask are ashamed of learning.
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Re: Corn hatchling wont eat & dark patch on bottom?

Postby hammies » Fri Feb 26, 2010 9:51 am

Thanks BV.
I knew you would have the answer :D
Now I know too.
i'm not a complete idiot, some parts are still missing!!
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Re: Corn hatchling wont eat & dark patch on bottom?

Postby Chantel » Fri Feb 26, 2010 12:41 pm

No need to worry about that "dark mark" ... all snakes have it - it's the gall bladder. It's just that it's more noticeable on amel hatchlings.
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Re: Corn hatchling wont eat & dark patch on bottom?

Postby Groenslang » Sat Feb 27, 2010 10:57 pm

Haha! :oops: Now I feel like a toff! I thought I was overdoing it a bit, but I've never had any snake that was as light as this one, including my other amel! The butter looks almost see through! Thanx for all the help guys!
The future depends on what we do in the present. - Mahatma Gandhi

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Re: Corn hatchling wont eat & dark patch on bottom?

Postby Chantel » Mon Mar 01, 2010 9:36 am

No need to feel like a "toff", lol!. We all have to learn through experience, and there's absolutely no harm in asking questions! It's the best way to learn. :)
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Re: Corn hatchling wont eat & dark patch on bottom?

Postby steve » Mon Mar 01, 2010 12:14 pm

Hi there.
I have seen a dark mark similar to this before, which was not the gall bladder, the snake was not feeding and subsequently perished, I believe it was some sort of gut infection caused from a bad pinkie, the mark was similar to this but only bigger and had some yellow, green colour to it, this is a clear sign that the snake was on its way out.
Heads up for future reference.
I hope this chap starts feeding soon, good luck and keep us updated.
Regards
vipers?
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Re: Corn hatchling wont eat & dark patch on bottom?

Postby Groenslang » Tue Mar 02, 2010 10:07 pm

Just an update, she ate tonight, a f/t pink nogals. Saw she was active and just lobbed a pink in her tub when before I started feeding the rest and by the time I was finished with them and checked her tub the pink was in her belly. Thanx for waylaying my fears!
The future depends on what we do in the present. - Mahatma Gandhi

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Re: Corn hatchling wont eat & dark patch on bottom?

Postby hammies » Wed Mar 03, 2010 7:34 am

Glad to hear that man! :D :D
i'm not a complete idiot, some parts are still missing!!
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