| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Aegis |
Posted - 20/07/2011 : 12:05:44
Hi all,
Im Shelley! Today im going to see about getting a corn snake, a gorgeous pink and white female who is about 3-4 years old.
The seller is one of my best friends, and its a personal reason she is selling, i have offered to buy the snake so she can continue to visit the snake.
So, iv done alot of research, alot of reading about corn snakes. My friend is also writing an information book at my request as to what size mice she eats and how often etc etc....
here is the kicker! Iv never held a snake! Im in no way scared of them, but the opportunities where i might have gotten to hold one i couldnt due to the snake needing fed and all that.
So can i have some tips about them? Iv got a few friends with corn snakes that will help out too. And also, introducing corn snakes to kids! I have 4 kids (aged - 9,7,3,1) The younger 2 will be fine, its the older ones i think might have a wee problem!
My husband also isnt overly keen on them but is definetely on board in getting one because he knows they are beautiful amazing pets!
Thanks in advance for any advice!
Shelley |
| 17 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Aegis |
Posted - 21/07/2011 : 00:24:06
Im pretty sure my mate has a faunarium. Would that be easier to transport her? I dont want her too traumatised. She has been moved before a few months ago because my mate moved house.
And yes! Locks! Iv made sure there are locks on the viv. The glass is pretty hard to open anyway, but yes there is a lock and key! Keys will be on me at all times. I know my 3 year old will be itching to play with the pretty snake! So i will watch him lol.
I actually surprised myself as to how calm i was with handling. My hubby is dyin to have a shotty too since i told him how calm she was! x |
| thistle |
Posted - 21/07/2011 : 00:21:31
Glad to hear that your first handling session went well. It's great to see someone doing their research and asking lots of questions instead of just jumping in and not having a clue.
I have to second kdlang's suggestion of investing in a lock. Having a secure lock on the viv is essential when you have curious kids in the house. |
| kdlang |
Posted - 20/07/2011 : 23:31:32
Congratulations on getting your first snake. It is clear how excited you are and I get the feeling it wont be your only one for very long. It sounds like you have had a great introduction into handling. It might be worthwhile you getting the snake out of it's viv when you go and collect it tho as most of the time that is the scary bit for new owners.
The only other bit of advice I could give you is make sure that you have a lock for the viv doors and that the key is kept out of reach. It is very easy for little ones to accidentally slide the doors open or even decide they need to let snakie out for some exercise. |
| Aegis |
Posted - 20/07/2011 : 20:49:20
Iv had my kids asking loads of questions about her! Iv done so much research on them over the last 2 years i seem to be able to answer most! But obviously, each corn is different! The corn i held before the one im getting was alot larger, so when i got to hold mine i was alot calmer even though she was a faster more active snake, Im really excited! :D Preparations are in place for moving her here on Monday. I want to make sure iv got the right place for the Viv first.
Also had my mum on the phone giving me an earfull of subtle abuse! She wont be visiting again, my husband is happy with that haha!
Yes, iv heard about the poo's too! But, having 4 kids i am quite used to it by now!
Thanks again for the friendly advice! Means alot :) |
| tarotpodge |
Posted - 20/07/2011 : 20:22:36
well done on your first hold. the first it always the hardest. But im sure as you get to know her better, your confidence will too. My 4 yr old and 8 yr old are keen to hold my snakes. Although they are both weary of the head end. (Im waiting for their face when they get pooed on for the first time...then maybe they will not be as worried about the head end lol) I always invited the kids to help me measure or hold or stroke and they did what they felt comfortable with, now they ask to hold, touch. When they see you handle her with confidence it will give them trust in the snake. |
| Aegis |
Posted - 20/07/2011 : 18:29:05
Figured it out! As i says, doesnt show her full gorgeous colours. She is quite small too but she has fab red eyes! (hope this works now)
 |
| Aegis |
Posted - 20/07/2011 : 18:17:38
I really am smitten with her! Im delighted at the first handling. Such amazing animals! My mum is going to kill me though! Im 23 and she still hates me having any sort of pet! Lol!
I have a pic but it doesnt show her colours great! can someone tell me how to attach photo? |
| scottishbluebird |
Posted - 20/07/2011 : 18:15:13
She sounds really pretty, look forward to pics, fab name too |
| Mort13 |
Posted - 20/07/2011 : 18:08:40
Aww wow,sounds like you've had a great time and are smitten already. Good to hear your kids are excited about getting her now.
You'll have to get some pics on here when she's settled in.  |
| Aegis |
Posted - 20/07/2011 : 18:05:57
I am just back from seeing her and she was AMAZING! My mate let me hold her other snake first, he was alot bigger but not as fast. So i was fine with him. Then she took Karuza out, when i saw her handling the snake she was really fast. But i just went for it and held her and she was so calm! She just snuggled up to me and that was it! She is light pink and white with a green and cream coloured belly.
I showed a picture to my kids and they are actually quite excited! I get her on Monday. And because my mate is still going to have 1 snake, we will order mice together so thats really helpful! She also showed me how to approach her in the Viv and she was really calm with me going into her territory!
i cant wait to get my gorgeous girl here! :) Thanks again all for the advice. Made me feel welcome! |
| Mort13 |
Posted - 20/07/2011 : 18:05:46
Congrats on deciding to take on your friends snake.
The best thing is to leave your kids in charge of how far they want to go in regards to holding it. My mum was wary about even coming round my house when I got my first snake. She watched me and the kids handle him and I asked if she'd like to stroke Loki. She soon ended up handling him and now loves it,says its relaxing! |
| marlin |
Posted - 20/07/2011 : 16:18:23
We have just introduced an 11 yr old boy to our 6 month old snake. He really wanted to 'play' but you could tell he was really unsure and a bit scared. We (the adults) sat either side of him and let little Kelloggs go from our hands across his and back again to start off with so he wasn't on his own. He will now hold Kelloggs on his own as long as we are close by - it took him a while to understand that he won't get hurt but if he moves too quickly or panics Kelloggs might get hurt.
Good luck! |
| Simmy_82 |
Posted - 20/07/2011 : 15:21:09
With the kids i just suggest you handle the snake for a while and let them see you with it. You could invite them into touching it or holding part of it. Building their confidence with it so they see it wont harm them in anyway. then just slowly build up to them handling it on their own etc. Just make slow steady progress with them.
I am going to have to do this with my wife when i get my snake. Its all about confidence in touching the unknown 
Others may have other suggestions. |
| Aegis |
Posted - 20/07/2011 : 15:17:26
Wow some great advice here! Thanks for being so friendly! Yes my friend will be showing me how to handle. Im going to handle the snake in an hour or so, see how we get on. She only lives 5 minutes away so is always on hand if i needed help with anything.
And yes 1 week no handling will be hard! But its a must, i did read that!
Thanks for the idea about the sock! Will do that too.
Any tips on the kids? I dont want the older ones being scared of her. My 3 year old loves any sort of animal though and happily carries spiders around with him! |
| tarotpodge |
Posted - 20/07/2011 : 13:45:41
this may sound silly but could your friend who is selling you the snake not demonstrate to you how to pick her up and hold her. They obviously know the snake so would show you how they find the best way. They could then pass over to you so you can get to grips with it and if your unsure they will correct you if needed.
But do remember the the no handling rule when you first bring her home, at least a week(not the easiest of challenges). Also one tip, when you get her home, carry a sock or piece of cloth around with you in a pocket for a day or so. Then place the sock/cloth in the viv with the new snake. It will be able to sense your smell. That you are not a threat. |
| lotabob |
Posted - 20/07/2011 : 13:12:32
Handling is relatively easy, you just guide them along and let them go where they are going, you dont have to grip them the only thing you do is support as much of their body as is possible. At 3-4 years old it will be a good size and shouldn't be flighty either, the first thing is to be sure the snake is awake and knows you are there, they will normally turn and flick their tongue in your direction, if it hasn't its likely that its not realised your there, I find touching the substrate near the snake usually gets their attention without frightening them. Then you just calmly and steadily scoop up a good portion of the snakes body and lift them up. A top tip is have kitchen roll on standby, corns love topoopon you so as the scouts would say, be prepared. |
| ravensgirl |
Posted - 20/07/2011 : 12:12:26
best way I have found to pick them up and handle them is to make sure they can she you approaching, gently touch their body so they are aware you are there and then scoop them up holding them tightly enough so they can't just zip out of your hands but not so tight that they are completely restricted.
The most important thing to do once you get your snake is not handle for a week to let the snake settle in, just concentrate on feeding and any spot cleaning and water changes |
