| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| n/a |
Posted - 25/10/2010 : 15:15:00
I have a baby motley called Oscar ... as he is a little bit of a grouch bless him. He is approx 12 weeks old and myself and my parter were given him by a lady who brought him and was given bad advice and could not look after him so wanted him to go to a good hme where he could be tamed.....but we are now having a few difficulties  . We cannot handle him as much as we try, he strikes at us every time we get close to him, even through the glass of his viv and if we do manage to put out hands in he completely freaks out. He had just started to get a bit friendly through the glass and then escaped (how i do not know) so we had to then hunt for him and catch him when we found him, which has set him right back. So any advice would be great....what can we do? is there anything that will really help? and how much of a small gap can baby corns get through?
Thanks in advance
Tink  |
| 19 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| n/a |
Posted - 25/10/2010 : 23:06:29
Well, we have had some very slight progress with Oscar, i managed to put my hand in the viv, get it next to him before he darted off. I did manage to touch him....he didnt like it but there was no striking...woo hoo, im feeling a wee bit more confident now! |
| herriotfan |
Posted - 25/10/2010 : 20:49:46
quote:
Originally posted by sarahw
hi herriotfan
do you handle them to put them back?
im very careful not to, sonic wont feed in a tub, think hes so used to feeding in his viv, he now fees on top of his viv and when hes finished i just open up the viv and he finds his own way back in, thought that may be best rather than picking him up
I just lift them very gently out of the tub and let them slither off me into their vivs. Touch wood, it's always worked well for me.
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| sarahw |
Posted - 25/10/2010 : 20:47:37
im sure he will fine, i kind of distracte sonic with one hand and scooped him up with the other hand
good luck and keep us posted |
| sarahw |
Posted - 25/10/2010 : 20:40:21
hi herriotfan
do you handle them to put them back?
im very careful not to, sonic wont feed in a tub, think hes so used to feeding in his viv, he now fees on top of his viv and when hes finished i just open up the viv and he finds his own way back in, thought that may be best rather than picking him up |
| n/a |
Posted - 25/10/2010 : 19:51:43
lets hope i can pick the lil monster up first!!!! |
| herriotfan |
Posted - 25/10/2010 : 19:38:00
I use a plastic tub for mine. I just put some kitchen roll in the bottom. I get everything ready first so all I have to do is put the snake in the container, pick the mouse up with feeding tongs and dangle it in front of the snake. Mine all strike feed and once they've got the mouse I watch over them until they've eaten it then pop them back in their viv. |
| n/a |
Posted - 25/10/2010 : 19:27:46
thanks, what would be the ideal thing to feed him in? |
| herriotfan |
Posted - 25/10/2010 : 18:45:52
Sarah has a very good point about feeding in their viv. It can make some snakes viv defensive. I always feed mine out of their vivs for that reason (even tho' they are all soppy) and to stop them taking in any substrate by mistake. |
| sarahw |
Posted - 25/10/2010 : 18:29:25
hi tinksie
my sons 2 year old corn snake was like this when we first rehomed him last month, he used to strike quite alot and even at the glass if looked at!
after letting him settle in for the week he was fed then 2 days later i put on some thick gloves and braved picking him up he was fine as soon as he was out of the viv, we also found out not to feed him in the viv as he was alwas fed in there by the previous owner, he once bit me the thumb while striking it didnt hurt just made me jump a bit as wasnt expecting it, i can now get him out without the need for gloves and he oesnt strike at all so there is hope, just takes a bit of time, to start with i was planning on getting him out a little bit each day increasing the time as the days went on, but as he seemed so calm the second time out this plan went out the window, as he curled up with my son for ages! |
| n/a |
Posted - 25/10/2010 : 17:35:01
Thank you so much people, im starting to feel a little happier about being able t make him nice. my main fear now is him escaping again.....i think we were very lucky to find a lil noodle on time of the wardrobe this time lol. but im blocking every exit possible!!!!
Thanks again :) |
| herriotfan |
Posted - 25/10/2010 : 17:11:25
Please try not to be anxious. It really won't hurt if he tags you. You probably wouldn't even know if you didn't see it happen! To be honest it's quite funny, and in a way cute, to see them trying to frighten you. They rattle their little tails and put on a lovely show, such a big brave snake.
Really it's not a big deal. You're the boss and he'll soon give up when he knows you don't take his messing about. Make sure you wait until he's calm before putting him away so he won't think he's won.
Yes it can help to put some item that has your smell on it in his viv. Tuck something like an old sock in your top for the day then pop it in his favourite hide. That way your smell is with him in his secure place and you will seem less of a threat...that's the theory anyway. It's worked very well for all mine.  |
| rachiepotatoe |
Posted - 25/10/2010 : 17:10:19
Some people say putting a sock in their hide helps them get used to you...personally I wouldn't put a stinky sock in though :P haha, maybe you could put a flannel up your sleeve or something and leave the flannel in his viv instead
You just really need to carry on trying to put your hand in regularly, I know what it's like to be scared of your pets (I had an EVILLL hamster) but the worst thing you can do is just leave them cus you're scared
Wear gloves if you have to, and once he realises you're not a threat he should calm down
Good luck! :) I hope he soon tames up! |
| n/a |
Posted - 25/10/2010 : 17:04:47
i shall give it my best shot |
| Tiffany-x |
Posted - 25/10/2010 : 15:51:37
It is possible to tug at their teeth, I doubt he could ever hurt you. You must imagine how tiny his little teeth are, they will barely break the skin. Dont worry about being bitten because at his age it shouldnt massively hurt and if it happens it happens, it probably wont happen again. You dont have to worry about it because its not too much of a big deal. He is only defending himself. There is truly no harm in that and I am sure you will be fine. Remember to be confident and show him you are confident and not scared by his attempts. :)
Tiffany-x |
| n/a |
Posted - 25/10/2010 : 15:45:18
We left him for a week as advised and let him settle. He is in a small exo terra baby snake viv. I have blocked holes i can see. Tho his tank is small we have given him 2 hides and he goes in them and under them. the main thing i am worried about is that as it is a natural reaction to move your hand back if struck at, that by doing this i will hurt him if he bites and i move away too quickly. Im also worried he will hurt me and i will then get scared of going near him. |
| Tiffany-x |
Posted - 25/10/2010 : 15:41:11
It sometimes speeds up the rate at which the snake gets used to your smell but theres no better way than to just handle through it all and just get it done with and then your snake will get used to the situation.
Tiffany-x |
| n/a |
Posted - 25/10/2010 : 15:37:25
thanks. i have read that it can help to put in something that smells like you, is this true? |
| herriotfan |
Posted - 25/10/2010 : 15:36:55
Hi
Welcome to the forum.
Did you leave Oscar for a week to settle in before you tried to handle him? We recommend that it's a good idea to do this so that the snake has a chance to get used to the different surroundings and his new home. Then it's just a case of making steady progress by handling a little each day and gradually increasing the handling sessions. (Apart from the first 48 hours after a feed when they need leaving alone to digest their meal) You need to just 'go for it' even if he strikes and tags (bites) you. He needs to learn that aggressive behaviour won't get him anywhere.
What size is his viv? Hatchlings and young cornsnakes are normally kept in smaller housing, faunariums, because they can easily get stressed in a big vivarium. If he's in a viv and you don't have anything smaller then make sure he has lots of hiding places in both warm and cool ends.
Hatchlings can get through really small gaps, he may have escaped through the gap between the sliding doors....yes they can get through somewhere that tight! You'll have to block it with some cardboard.
Gosh, that was a long reply but I hope it gives you some pointers. Also have a read of the caresheet via the homepage.
Good luck with Oscar! |
| Tiffany-x |
Posted - 25/10/2010 : 15:29:40
To make it simple hatchlings can squeeze through pretty much anything! :P Dont worry about him striking. Although I am yet to be bitten by any snake ive been told that most people bitten by hatchlings arent even aware that they have been bitten, and blood isnt even always drawn. You have to be confident, snakes seem to know when you are nervous, letting your hatchling intimidate you is letting him win. You must be confident. If you are afraid of being bitten maybe wear a long sleeved top and a pair of gloves. And usually with hatchlings once picked up and in your hands they will settle down. You have to try to imagine how scary it is for some huge alien-like thing to come down trying to pick you up. Just have some confidence and things should get better. I hope you figure him out soon. :)
Tiffany-x |
