| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| boost-boy74 |
Posted - 21/06/2010 : 13:04:35
hi all,
getting my first ever snake / corn on wednesday this week
feeling a bit nervous now but also excited lol, im nervous about him escaping when handling - tell me im just being stupid......
cheers simon |
| 20 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| boost-boy74 |
Posted - 01/07/2010 : 09:39:04
quote:
Originally posted by Kellog
quote:
Originally posted by boost-boy74
hi all - decided to not disturb her more than i had too, so i fed her in her rub. i had my hands in there and she did not hide or strike at me at all - i fed her just the one fuzzy which she took delicately from the tweezers, after the mouse she took her self off to bed. will get her out and handle for the first time on saturday, i was so tempted to pick her up today lol also im using kitchen roll as a substrate so no need to worry about her eating it....
cheers simon
That is fantastic news Simon, and a great relief to you I am sure ! It is always good to get that first feed out of the way - I should know, it took Kellog 13 weeks before he took his first feed from me  (he was horny  )!! And it sounds as though she took it really well, wasnt scared by you and was happy enough to come out and 'delicately' accepted her dinner .
I am glad to hear that she is on kitchen roll so you dont have to worry about the substrate issue, that is quite a good idea for when you first have your snake and are getting used to it and it is getting used to you.
Bet you are now counting down those 48hrs before you can have your next first - your first handling session  !!
xxx
hi judith, is that your name sorry? - yes cant wait till i can handle her, its so exciting - thanks everyone for all your help, just need to find my camera lead and post some pictures |
| Kellog |
Posted - 01/07/2010 : 03:48:48
quote:
Originally posted by boost-boy74
hi all - decided to not disturb her more than i had too, so i fed her in her rub. i had my hands in there and she did not hide or strike at me at all - i fed her just the one fuzzy which she took delicately from the tweezers, after the mouse she took her self off to bed. will get her out and handle for the first time on saturday, i was so tempted to pick her up today lol also im using kitchen roll as a substrate so no need to worry about her eating it....
cheers simon
That is fantastic news Simon, and a great relief to you I am sure ! It is always good to get that first feed out of the way - I should know, it took Kellog 13 weeks before he took his first feed from me (he was horny )!! And it sounds as though she took it really well, wasnt scared by you and was happy enough to come out and 'delicately' accepted her dinner .
I am glad to hear that she is on kitchen roll so you dont have to worry about the substrate issue, that is quite a good idea for when you first have your snake and are getting used to it and it is getting used to you.
Bet you are now counting down those 48hrs before you can have your next first - your first handling session !!
xxx
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| boost-boy74 |
Posted - 30/06/2010 : 13:36:50
hi all - decided to not disturb her more than i had too, so i fed her in her rub. i had my hands in there and she did not hide or strike at me at all - i fed her just the one fuzzy which she took delicately from the tweezers, after the mouse she took her self off to bed. will get her out and handle for the first time on saturday, i was so tempted to pick her up today lol also im using kitchen roll as a substrate so no need to worry about her eating it....
cheers simon |
| Kellog |
Posted - 30/06/2010 : 05:10:36
I am not surprised you are nervous Simon! And it is totally natural to be . Sta~ple has given you some very good advice (as usual)....and I would certainly suggest that you try and feed her in a RUB. I wouldnt be so worried about her associating your hand in her faun as food, but it definitely will stop you worrying about her ingesting any substrate when she feeds (and it also gives you a lot better opportunities for pics  !).
It is a personal choice though and I know some forum members do feed their corns in their fauns/vivs. If you do decide to do that then make sure you put down some paper or a tile so that she eats the pinkie on that rather than on the substrate....the only worry being that she will pull it off whatever you have put down. If you do feed her in her faun then dont stress her out by removing her hide. Just put the paper (or whatever) down near the hide entrance and dangle the pinkie over it. Hopefully that will be enough to entice her out to eat. If she doesnt come out then you can leave the pinkie on the covering for her to come and get. I will say that I am NO EXPERT at feeding little ones or feeding inside fauns, so this is just what I would do if I chose to feed like that.
If you do decide to feed her in a RUB then do as Sta~ple has suggested, let her know that you are there and then gently pick her up and move her into the RUB. I personally wouldnt worry too much about offering her your hand....I know some people are very lucky and their snakes do crawl onto their hands, but quite often this doesnt happen. Just be slow and calm and patient.
This handling link will help give you a few pointers about how to go about handling her when the time comes (and may also help you for when you go to pick her up to move her at feeding time) - http://www.thecornsnake.co.uk/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=8735.
Hope this has been of some help....
xxx
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| Sta~ple |
Posted - 29/06/2010 : 16:21:39
I personally would. It's easier to clean any mouse blood in a TUB rather than picking up bits of subtrate and kitchen towel and then you have no worry what's so ever of the snake eating any bedding. Sometimes when fed in the same place that they live they can associate you putting your hand in as feeding time so you could get bit, feeding in an another TUB stops this. |
| boost-boy74 |
Posted - 29/06/2010 : 15:47:52
hi, thanks - would you recommend i feed her in another tub then? |
| Sta~ple |
Posted - 29/06/2010 : 15:39:27
I would play with her subtrate then lift her hide up until she gets used to you more as if you just picked her up it may give her a bit of a scare. I would then like offer your hand in which she may crawl on it or she may not but she will taste you most likely. I would then pick her up and pop her in a feeding RUB.
She may rattle and get into a striking pose but don't be scared as you will make her more scared. |
| boost-boy74 |
Posted - 29/06/2010 : 14:26:25
getting nervous now, its first feed day tomorrow - she is in her hide where she has been all week - what do i do, do i lift out the hide so i can see him to offer her the mouse??? or will she come out on her own??? also a little nervous about my first handing session which will be on saturday - any last minute pointers? cheers all simon. |
| boost-boy74 |
Posted - 28/06/2010 : 09:18:32
thanks for the links and the advice, will get some pics up soon |
| Kellog |
Posted - 28/06/2010 : 03:33:17
I am so glad you have now got your corn and that hands-off week is nearly over Simon....not long to go!
I also have a medical condition and am on a large amount of medications....so I can understand your concerns about handling if you get the shakes. I think it is pretty good that you got a 9 month old rather than a hatchling as she will be that bit bigger and hopefully you will feel more confident when you handle her. It really is a case of being calm, patient and confident....and if you dont feel confident then fake it (it really works!). I must admit that I have found handling my corns really therapeutic, Kellog especially. It is a little way off for you but it is so relaxing feeling him sliding around my body and through my hands....and even just watching their motion.
I dont have a 'normal' but feel exactly like you do about them being called that !! They are so beautiful that they are far from 'normal'!! The sad thing is that so many of them are overlooked cos people are too interested in the more fashionable morphs....but luckily you didnt let that stop you . I cant wait to see pics of her. (Just a reminder of the unwritten forum rule - pics as soon as possible! http://www.thecornsnake.co.uk/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=14)
As for a name, this thread has a few suggestions - http://www.thecornsnake.co.uk/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=6673 ....but there is no rush, you will know when you have found the right name for her.
quote:
Originally posted by glynjones
Hi all
How do peaple get on handling larger snakes, at the mo Marge is 27" long and slithers around my hands mainly. I have not let her have a wonder around yet, mainly because i like to handle her but also the worry of escaping or the cats( bubble and squeak getting to interested?
Glyn
Why dont you start your own topic on this Glyn? I have only dealt with adults so have always had them sliding around my body and exploring the floor....but I would be interested to hear how people go from that small 'only in hands' phase to the 'allowing to wander' phase. I do know that when I do allow mine to wander I always keep a hand on them (especially Silvesta), just to remind them that I am there and it means I can grab them if I see them heading somewhere I dont want them to go....but they are a lot larger than Marge.
Do you shut the cats out while you are handling Marge? If not it may be an idea to, so that you reduce the risk of them wanting to 'play' with her.
xxx
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| glynjones |
Posted - 27/06/2010 : 21:16:01
Hi all
How do peaple get on handling larger snakes, at the mo Marge is 27" long and slithers around my hands mainly. I have not let her have a wonder around yet, mainly because i like to handle her but also the worry of escaping or the cats( bubble and squeak getting to interested?
Glyn |
| boost-boy74 |
Posted - 26/06/2010 : 15:36:57
tell me about it, thanks for all the replies..... |
| gregDT |
Posted - 25/06/2010 : 22:10:50
You could try 'natural' rather than 'normal'. Hold on, that would mean those of us with morphs would have 'unnatural' snakes 
Maybe just stick 'beautiful', as I've yet to see a picture of one that wasn't
Oh and I'm about a week ahead of you with owning a snake. So I know just how you feel. However once you get comfortable with the fact they are not going to bolt for the window or bite you to shreds, handling snakes becomes incredibly relaxing. They way they glide over your hands is hypnotising |
| mrsT |
Posted - 25/06/2010 : 19:36:31
congrats on your new snake!
i've got a 'normal' too,they're lovely aren't they.agree with the others though....the hardset part is the settling in week,when all you want to do is pick them up!good luck with it all hope you enjoy your new snake |
| boost-boy74 |
Posted - 25/06/2010 : 09:47:03
no name as yet.....im struggling to stop peaking, lol - all ive be doing is change her water. thanks for the advice guys and girlz, cheers simon |
| n/a |
Posted - 24/06/2010 : 20:29:34
I got my first ever corn back last November and he's a "normal", although i dont like the name normal, as all corns are great, and like some of the others have said they are VERY addictive. Already promised myself another one in sept/oct time (Once i've got my wedding out of the way, dont think my OH would approve spending money on another snake with all of the wedding costs). lol
Also listen to as much advice on here as possible. I'd had Eugene for a month or 2 before i joined this site and i made so many mistakes, like not leaving him for the "cooling off" week before handling. I got no advice etc. from the reptile shop and was handling him straight away.
My viv was actually far too big for him, and so bare. God knows what other mistakes i would have made if it wasnt for the people on this site. |
| kdlang |
Posted - 24/06/2010 : 14:56:05
Congratulations. I think it's lovely that you just went to the shop and held some snakes and just picked the one that you fell in love with. Alot of us get so hung up on certain morphs that we want, me included, that we forget sometimes that gut instinct is the most important thing when choosing a pet and it sounds like your gut has told you that this little one is right for you. Now comes the hard part of letting her settle in and resisting those sneaky peaks 'just to make sure she is ok' lol. Oh that is so hard.
Have you picked a name for her yet? |
| Sta~ple |
Posted - 24/06/2010 : 14:32:58
Normals are the best, they are so beautiful. What you might find that she might be a bit skittish, this is normal for young snakes or snakes in new surrounding but as you handle her more she will calm down.
Congrats though |
| boost-boy74 |
Posted - 24/06/2010 : 14:00:40
thanks for the replies, they have really helped and thankyou for answering all my silly questions....right lets get to the good bit, thanks kellog for the links. went to my reptile shop that i always use for my leos etc, handeled a few snakes but then i fell in love with a 9 month old normal corn i love her so much she is great - the store said she was het for caramel? she is settling in as i type. i have a few medical problems and im on lots of medication which makes my hands shake a little - my friend from the shop said it should not be a problem as long as i was calm - well im pretty laid back so hopefully should be fine? cheers simon |
| Kellog |
Posted - 22/06/2010 : 03:55:52
FINALLY!! You certainly have waited long enough and prepared enough to get your snake....think it has been over 2 months since you joined us to do your research.
Dont worry about being nervous....I would be worried if you werent nervous !!
Just remember that before handling him you have to get through the hands-off week....to let him destress, settle in and start getting used to your smell without being threatened by you.
For when that week is over have a look at this thread, it may give you some tips on how to go about handling him - http://www.thecornsnake.co.uk/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=8735. As Danny said, the main thing is to be calm....also be gentle and patient, with slow movement....and try not to show how nervous you are, snakes can pick up on your vibes!! It is a case of faking confidence until you feel it !!
I am not surprised you are worried about him escaping, I cant imagine holding something that small and that quick (ok, I know that doesnt sound reassuring ) but just remember that the majority of the forum members have been there and done that and not lost their little babies!! So you can do it too!
Just to remind you of the pics link - http://www.thecornsnake.co.uk/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=14 (remember the unwritten forum rule ....pics as soon as possible!)
xxx
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