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n/a
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23 Posts |
 Posted - 21/11/2009 : 23:14:56
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| just got a new carolina corn snake, approx 12 to 13 weeks old now he totally doesnt like being handled and has bitten my sweater, keeps his body rigid as if trying to get back to his fanarium, how do i calm him down and get him use to being handled, i also have a caramel corn and have no problems with him, the only different is the caramel corn i bought from a shop and the carolina corn was a private sale and i know the person i got him off didnt handle him very much, any help or advise would be wonderful |
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n/a
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445 Posts |
Posted - 21/11/2009 : 23:21:54
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Well for a start, when did you get the snake?
It is recommended that you leave the snake in its new home for a week to settle in, only going in to spot clean and change the water.
You can put a worn t-shirt in the viv with the snake overnight to allow it to get to know that your scent is not a dangerous thing.
But really you just have to be persistent and not scared, if it bites you there will be no pain so do not worry about that. Just keep up the handling sessions, maybe 5 - 10 minutes per day to start with. You should see that the snake will settle after a while of doing this and then you can start to handle for longer periods.
It is all down to little previous handling so really all you can do is handle more and be confident.
Also, welcome to the site! Please feel free to post pictures of your snakes, ask questions whenever you need confirmation or help and generally enjoy the site.
Also, why not go and say hi to us all in the intro section, you will get a warm welcome over there. :) |
Edited by - n/a on 21/11/2009 23:24:49 |
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Kellog
the nice one
United Kingdom
7308 Posts |
Posted - 22/11/2009 : 03:13:32
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Hi lil-legs. I agree with everything Bioshock has said, but will repeat and enlarge a bit if that is ok. Also, do as he suggests...introduce yourself in the welcome section so everyone can say hi!
The reason Bioshock asked about how long you had had your carolina was because he should not be handled for a week after getting. You should only be putting your hand in daily to change the water and straighten the substrate so he can get used to your smell. This is because he will have been very stressed by the move and adapting to his new surroundings. He will also need to get used to you...just imagine how scared he must be right now...Bioshock's suggestion of a tshirt or sock in his viv is a very good one. It means he will learn that your scent is not a threat. When you do put your hand in the viv to change water etc just stay calm, with gentle movements and stay away from him so you dont startle him.
As far as the handling is concerned Bioshock has also got it right. It is something that is going to take time and patience, especially if he isnt used to being handled. Just follow the advice given and hopefully you will slowly see an improvement.
Please do keep us up to date.
xxx |
  
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n/a
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23 Posts |
Posted - 22/11/2009 : 14:36:07
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| hey, i picked him up on thursday 19/11/09 so my first mistake is trying to soon, thank you so much for the advise i will do the t.shirt thing and take ur advise, thank you so much |
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n/a
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90 Posts |
Posted - 22/11/2009 : 22:09:28
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| We had this problem with our rat snake. I'd only ever handled my hatchling so was a little nervous around a 5ft ratsnake which in turn seemed to make him more volatile when handling. The tshirt will help but u need to be confident when handling. even now when i hold mitch if he moves too fast and makes me jump he will instantly tense up. I also found this to be the problem with my latest corn hatchling because he just moved to fast and i didnt want to drop or loose him and he ended up going for my fingers a couple of times. now hes the perfect snake lol. A bite doesnt hurt and infact some people dont even notice it so just be confident when you handle him, it may take a week or so but he'l get used to you and you to him xx |
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Kellog
the nice one
United Kingdom
7308 Posts |
Posted - 23/11/2009 : 03:59:04
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If you are concerned about dropping him then handle him over your bed (which I suggest covering in a towel in case he poos). That way you can feel more confident about him being safe.
xxx |
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unhappy carolina
