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chili_con_parmi

Posted by: chili_con_parmi at Thu Apr 6 03:11:47 2006 [ Report Abuse ] [ Email Message ]

Hi,
I thought corn snakes were supposed to be docile snakes. This is the reason I got one. It is my first snake, I am used to having tarantulas and scorpions.
I only have it a few days but it seem to be a crazy snake. It is a snow corn, which has beautiful markings and red eyes. The first day I picked it up it seemed to be ok, obviously it tried to get away from me but didn't struggle that much and moved from hand to hand.

Yesterday however I picked him up and almost immediately he tried to bite me, I put him down as I didn't really want to be bitten. A few seconds later I decided to try again as I thought maybe I startled it or something the first time. When I put my hand in the cage to pick him up he coiled up like a spring and snapped at me with super speed. Has anyone else experienced this from corn snakes. How hard would a bite be from a baby corn, it is around 10 inches in leant. Are they all like this or is mine just a physco Shocked

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Thanks for your help

Dave

Scott W · Posted: Thu Apr 06, 2006 10:00 am Post subject:

You wouldn't notice a bite from a baby corn snake, even an adult doesn't do more than a few pins holes (although it will bleed).

Corns overall are very docile and calm snakes, very rarely bite once settled. Give it time.
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Please DO NOT pm orders for reptiles, send email instead scott@captivebred.co.uk

chili_con_parmi · Posted: Thu Apr 06, 2006 10:22 am Post subject:

Thanks for your reply Scott

Are you sure it wont hurt, I mean when I offered food with a tweezers it snapped it up really fast and it seemed to be really strong. Its also so fast that it makes you jump
_________________
Thanks for your help

Dave

peaches · Posted: Thu Apr 06, 2006 11:57 am Post subject:

A bite from a baby is nothing honestly, worst, it will make you jump, that's it. How long have you had him/her? let the little one settle for a week to get used to it's new environment.

Then just do regular gentle handling sessions of about 10mins a day, if it bites, don't put it down straight away otherwise it will have got the reaction it wanted - to be left alone.

Perseverance here, that's all, then soon enough, he should calm down. but there's always exceptions to the rule eh? lmao Laughing

Good luck and keep us posted Very Happy

peaches · Posted: Thu Apr 06, 2006 11:59 am Post subject:

Just wanted to add (can't edit previous post) don't handle him for 2 days after he's fed, to avoid regurge and let the food digest. Very Happy

Peter Parrot · Posted: Thu Apr 06, 2006 12:35 pm Post subject:

He`ll probably chill out as he matures. I have a Mexican black king snake that was lethal as a youngster and now is a pleasure to handle. Give him plenty of time. Wink

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damotheblue · Posted: Thu Apr 06, 2006 1:13 pm Post subject:

ive got an 05 snow which was a bitey baby but soon calmed down. give it time to settle in and if its still bitey be confident with it, it wont hurt if it does tag you, if it does make sure you dont put it down as it will learn that when it bites it will be able to go back to the comfort of a dark hide. start of with short handling sessions then increase as time goes by.

hope that helps

chili_con_parmi · Posted: Thu Apr 06, 2006 2:12 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the replies guys. All were very informative.

I have only had him for four days now so I guess he will be nervous of his new environment .

I will keep trying and maybe the little bugger will like after a while Laughing

_________________
Thanks for your help

Dave

Peter Parrot · Posted: Thu Apr 06, 2006 4:15 pm Post subject:

I expect he will. I find that mine don`t tame with handling so much as quieten with age. Best off leaving him to himself for a fair while. As long as he is fed, watered and warm that`s all you need worry about till he`s a bit older if he is a bit flighty now. Wink

_________________
YSBRYDOLI POBL, GWELLA LLEOEDD
INSPIRING PEOPLE, IMPROVING PLACES
www.btcv.org
Visit our website - Gwelwch ein Gwefan
www.btcvcymru.org
Llinell Gymorth / Helpline: 08702 40 48 41

JohnC · Key Member Joined: 04 Jan 2005 Posts: 219 Location: UK

The behavior of your baby corn snake is quite common.
It does not signify what he will be like when he grows up.
After a period of leaving him alone to settle in, when you come to pick him up ignore any biting and aggressive behavior. He may bite you at first but you will hardly feel it.
When you handle him, try not to restrain him, as he moves forward move your fingers quickly to maintain support of him without actually holding him.
He will be at his worst when you pick him up, the longer he stays in your hands the more calm he will become.
He has to learn that being picked up is not an unpleasant thing for him and he should gradually but quite soon stop being aggressive.
If you try to pick him up and desist because he is aggressive, he will continue to be aggressive to stop you from disturbing him.
I know that other people have said this but I thought I would summarise it for you.
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John
Oldest member, been keeping reptiles for 36 years.
Carpets, royals, rainbow boas, corns, milks, ackies and leos.