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Jennet
Hatchling
United Kingdom
305 Posts |
 Posted - 16/09/2008 : 21:43:18
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My daughter was just fine handling Tango (she's 16) once I had got him out of his viv, but I had to get him out, as when she put her hand in there, he moved fairly quickly towards her, and she jumped and drew back her hand (natural enough reaction as Tango is the first snake we have had).
Can anyone give me advice please, as we have had various rats, hamsters, mice and gerbils etc., (and been bitten at various times by most of the above when they were young) as well as dogs, cats and rabbits, and I feel that if I can tell her that people on here have likened a corn snake bite to that of a rat/rabbit or similar, she will be more comfortable about what to expect if she (or I for that matter) did get a bite.
Also, am I right in that a snake can sense fear in a person and may that make him a little more jumpy?
Tango is around 4 feet long and approx 18 mths old. His old owner never got a bite from him, so I don't necessarily think we will if we handle him properly, but I just want to try to help her understand that even if she did get a bite, it would not be as bad as she is thinking it will be (hopefully) ... thanks.. J
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www.thecornsake.co.uk
www.thehognosesnake.co.uk
www.theamphibian.co.uk |
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Blackecho
The Corn Snake Admin
United Kingdom
4379 Posts |
Posted - 16/09/2008 : 22:09:48
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| The snake will hurt a lot less than a hamster! - It will be shock rather than pain. |
 
www.theroyalpython.co.uk/forum
Location: Rotherham
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shaunb
Yearling
United Kingdom
782 Posts |
Posted - 16/09/2008 : 22:36:01
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| it probably came forward so quick cos it is used to being handled and wanted to come out. my baby corn done that to me when i first handled it, i know there is no comparison cos the size difference, but it shot towards my hand like it was going to strike but i left my hand there and it just slid onto my hand which was wicked. |
[Quote]
A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new.
Albert Einstein. |
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n/a
deleted
253 Posts |
Posted - 16/09/2008 : 23:09:46
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Build her confidence by getting her to take the water bowl out and the hide and putting them back etc
Snakes can sense fear, but only in the smell of sweat and sense of body temp. They dont use it to weigh up their odds of a fight and mostly strike in self defence or when threatened.
You have plenty time to get used to reading his movements and handling him, and you will. Just takes patience, time and confidence.
All part of the fun. |
1.0. Albino Burm
2.0. Carpet Python
1.0. Cali King
11.6. Corns
1.1. Royal Python
1.1. Thick Tail Geckos
1.0. Bearded Dragon
1.0. Spur Thighed Tort |
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Blackecho
The Corn Snake Admin
United Kingdom
4379 Posts |
Posted - 16/09/2008 : 23:11:14
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If it does bite, try not to fling your hand back, catapulting the snake across the room (easier said than done with the shock).
Its very unlikely that they will latch on, but if they do you can spray water on their face or rub alcohol on their nose. |
www.theroyalpython.co.uk/forum
Location: Rotherham
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gingerpony
Queen Bee
United Kingdom
10455 Posts |
Posted - 16/09/2008 : 23:25:01
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| all i've ever got from a corn is butted, when they strike at you but with their mouth closed, so no teeth. it's a shock when it happens but it's usually for a reason eg. you've woken them up or unintentionally got them cornered. |
cornsnakes, ratsnakes, bullsnakes, boas and day geckos
Location:Leeds/York/Selby area |
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shaunb
Yearling
United Kingdom
782 Posts |
Posted - 16/09/2008 : 23:40:26
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quote:
Originally posted by gingerpony
all i've ever got from a corn is butted, when they strike at you but with their mouth closed,
I did'nt know that well u learn something new every day my corn done that to me the second and third time i went to pick it up.
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[Quote]
A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new.
Albert Einstein. |
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gingerpony
Queen Bee
United Kingdom
10455 Posts |
Posted - 16/09/2008 : 23:42:44
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makes you jump doesn't it?!  |
cornsnakes, ratsnakes, bullsnakes, boas and day geckos
Location:Leeds/York/Selby area |
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n/a
deleted
433 Posts |
Posted - 16/09/2008 : 23:44:27
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| I've never been bitten, but ours get a little strikey after a feed (understandably) so i can understand her apprehension, but i would much rather get bitten by my corns than a rabbit or a rat that's for sure, it will just be the shock. They can sense fear, but it's much easier to be calm when you know the bite wont be that bad (if at all) and it's just the shock. |
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shaunb
Yearling
United Kingdom
782 Posts |
Posted - 16/09/2008 : 23:52:39
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| yea made me jump i thought what u doing but put my hand back and it came sliding through my fingers. |
[Quote]
A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new.
Albert Einstein. |
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PunkAsF82
Yearling
United Kingdom
909 Posts |
Posted - 17/09/2008 : 09:22:05
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yeh it's more the shock than the pain. It's a bit liek a cat bite, sharp, bleeds quite a lot, but heals fast. Make sure you clean any bite extreamly well though, as they can carry some nasty stuff on their teeth, concidering they eat dead mice.
Also if it does bit and clamps on, dont wrench the snake off you, put you thuimb and forefinger behind the jaw and squeeze gently, then lift the snake off you.
And one otehr thing. Don't do what I did and put the snake straight back. Otherwise it will begin to assosiate biting with being left alone lol.
Good luck! Hope this helps |
~~ My Zoo ~~
1.0.0 Bearded Dragon - Cooper
0.1.0 Amel corn - Lucky
0.1.0 Normal Leopard Gecko - Layla
1.1.0 Cats - Zelda the Maine Coon & Link the Ragdoll X Tabby
0.0.50 Malawi Cichlids
0.0.20 Community fish tank
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saddleninja
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
1400 Posts |
Posted - 17/09/2008 : 13:51:44
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| i you do get bit, don`t pull back, try and push the head forward, and the snake should let go, the teeth are very sharp so you wont really feel them going in |
1 amel
1 okeette
2 normals
1 rosy rat x
3 royals
1 cali king
1 publean milk
1 yemen chameleon
2 orange spotted agamas
1 colombian rainbow boa |
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cumbrian eejit
Hatchling
United Kingdom
305 Posts |
Posted - 17/09/2008 : 14:15:15
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and don't worry about, most of us will get bit at one time or another, I've had cecil 2 months and got bit quite regular up until two weeks ago and now he's got it sussed that I'm here as a friend. it can be quite scarry though if your not used to it.
I've got it all to come again with my new baby!!!
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lost track of the day's now, but I'm getting my amel stripe corn on the 2nd of August!!! |
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Kehhlyr
ǝʞɐɔ sǝʌoן
United Kingdom
8173 Posts |
Posted - 17/09/2008 : 15:19:10
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Oddly, one of the most common times to get tagged is when they're going 'blue-eye' ready to shed.
Because they're near blind at that stage, sometimes they will strike as a warning. Although if handled regularly, they should be ok.
Getting nipped is part and parcel of having a snake, i believe that you're not a proper snake owner/handler until you've been tagged. |
-=Kehhlyr - The Resident Loon
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Jennet
Hatchling
United Kingdom
305 Posts |
Posted - 17/09/2008 : 18:22:42
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| Thanks so much for the responses... I'm of the school that thinks its helpful to know what might be, so you know how to take the right action.... rats are blasted sharp, and so are hamsters, but I recon I might jump a bit if tango strikes at me... still... as you say... all part of the experience... J |
www.thecornsake.co.uk
www.thehognosesnake.co.uk
www.theamphibian.co.uk |
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Kazerella
The Corn Snake Admin
United Kingdom
3093 Posts |
Posted - 17/09/2008 : 18:54:39
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| If you can handle an hamster bite- a snake bite is nothing. I once had an hamster that took the skin off my finger. Nasty little rodents they are! |
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