| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| adrian.coles |
Posted - 13/09/2013 : 20:13:16
Hi,
Last week I got my first corn snake.
He's a yearling and his new home is a 2ft viv with plenty of hides, water etc.
I was advised by the store to feed him on Wednesday as that is when he was due to be fed, so I did, and although he took it, he didn't strike, but went up to the pinkie, opened his mouth and lazily took it from the tongs.
Because of that I figured he was quite laid back and so when I wend to pick him up for the first time since getting him home I was surprised that he backed off then struck at me.
I've tried to go back to him a couple of times to get him used to me but every time I go near him he recoils his head ready to have another go at me.
I don't want to make any mistakes with him and want him to be happy and comfortable with me, being picked up and being handled.
Any advice? Should I just accept being struck a few times until he realises I won't hurt him? Or should I leave him alone for a while? Does he need to settle in longer maybe?
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| 13 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Snakeysal |
Posted - 22/09/2013 : 21:02:15
Lovely snake. Very pretty! |
| adrian.coles |
Posted - 22/09/2013 : 20:00:17
Here are some pics:
The last one was taken on a phone so not great, but I love the first one. Playing peek-a-boo |
| Razee |
Posted - 22/09/2013 : 09:20:07
Excellent news, if he's handled once a day ( but not in the first 48 h after feeding , obviously, and maybe not in blue ), just for a couple of minutes, he will soon start getting used to you.
What you're describing is exactly what Baz used to do as hatchling. I did exactly what you did, put my hand down, slowly, slowly, let her sniff it - but then she always started charging around, panicking. It was almost impossible to catch her, and the more I tried, the more she panicked. I was so scared I'd hurt her.
I found the following worked for me: Like you, I took all the hides out, except the one she was in. Then you lift the last hide, and scoop her out straight away, in one smooth movement, from the side, don't give her time to think. If I hesitated even a second or two, she shot off. The more they run, the more stressed they become. So, if she had no time to start stressing, she was fine - and once out, she was much calmer.
Don't worry about him biting you - the bites really, really don't hurt, and you might not even feel anything at all from a hatchling.
I have seen a lady in a pet shop, picking up an exceptionally bitey hatchling - from the moment you lifted a hide, it'd S up, and bite repeatedly. She just went straight in, and held her cupped palm over the hatchling, almost like a hide ( which stopped him biting ), and then scooped him out. It was all done in one smooth movement - cup, and second later, scoop. There he sat in her palm, S ing at everyone else, but her :-) |
| Redware |
Posted - 21/09/2013 : 23:02:16
good news, cant wait to see those photos! |
| ScaryVonHayleystine |
Posted - 21/09/2013 : 21:40:31
Fabulous |
| adrian.coles |
Posted - 21/09/2013 : 18:17:07
Just thought I'd update those of you who kindly replied.
I decided to leave him alone for most of the week, but left a sock in there with him.
I fed him on Wednesday in the viv and got him to strike and coil the pinky, so was pleased to see that as the Reptile shop said he had never do this.
Today decided to go for it and slowly took out all the decoration in the viv and placed my hand flat on the bottom. Slowly moved nearer to him and then froze. Let him move about a bit and he had a good sniff of me a few times, but was still very skittish and looked like he might strike me if I went to grab him. Every time I went close he shot off round the viv and I could visibly see him breathing heavily.
I have a pair of leather gloves for driving in the winter and decided to try with one of those on. He wasn't scared of it at all and started sniffing it all over and climbing over my hand. I then gently, but firmly took hold of him and brought him out. Once out he was as calm as anything. My wife pulled off the glove for me and we all had a great time with him for a good 20 mins. He wasn't skittish at all anymore.
Such an improvement!
Really happy and we got some great photos. |
| Razee |
Posted - 14/09/2013 : 10:09:45
+1 what Scotishbluebird says - it's meant to be a clean, spare sock, carried around somewhere on your body ( tucked around waistband ). Otherwise it could be classed as a biological warfare! :-0 :-) |
| adrian.coles |
Posted - 13/09/2013 : 22:07:34
 |
| scottishbluebird |
Posted - 13/09/2013 : 22:05:30
lol are you sure your socks are safe, clean one put in your waistband for a few hours or better a day to get your scent, straight from your feet might be deadly! |
| adrian.coles |
Posted - 13/09/2013 : 22:01:30
Great post on that sticky. Hadn't seen it previously and I've been prowling on here for a few weeks.
I guess my socks are not going in to the wash tonight. However, the underpants will be. I couldn't do that to any creature. That would be cruel.
I'll let you know how I get on.
I think I may have startled him and I think I did come from above, so not really surprised he went for me. Just hope I haven't scared him off me and that he will come round soon enough. |
| SilverWings |
Posted - 13/09/2013 : 21:53:10
Underpants? o.O |
| scottishbluebird |
Posted - 13/09/2013 : 21:36:48
There is a sticky for this, but really just scary has said http://www.thecornsnake.co.uk/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=28249
forgot to say hi and welcome |
| ScaryVonHayleystine |
Posted - 13/09/2013 : 20:18:13
With a new snake give a weeks settling period leaving him alone except for daily water changes. You can leave a sock or pair of underpants youve worn in his viv to get used to your smell.
Before handling wash hands or use anti bacterial gel. Try and use the same stuff befre handling as they get used to that smell too.
Dont reach over him, place you hand flat palm up infront of him showing you are no threat, dont make sudden moves, slow and steadily try and pick him up if he shows no signs of agression. Always use gentle moves. |
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