New Cornsnake Owner

I just got a new Abbott from Don at Southmountain Reptiles, and Bubba (snake's name) is great. I opened his little container on Tuesday and let him climb out into the viv (which he did so immediately). He then explored for pretty much the entire day, and now sleeps mostly in the open during the day. At night he comes out at about the same time every night and explores. I had no idea cornsnakes were that active. He does a very strange thing though and stretches up the side of the viv, which has me worried about escaping (after reading numerous posts about it). I have taken almost every precaution that I can think of though.
My wife and I have recently started putting our hands near him to let hime get used to our smell. I think next week I will try to hold him a bit in his viv.

The only problem I have with hime (and it's not really with him) is our cats. They get on the table next to the viv and "paw" at the glass. Is this bad for the snake? He doesn't seem to mind it too much, but I am afraid it will make him paranoid. He does hide a bit more now though than the second day. But he is still in the open mostly.

I also ordered some pinkies from the mouse factory, and they looked great. I will try to feed Bubba on Saturday I think. Is this ok? I got him on tuesday, and Don doesn't ship them on a full stomach.

Also will it be ok to feed him in his viv? I really don't want to take him out until I'm sure he is ok with handling. Plus would I just put him in a box to feed him?

And the last question, if I do take Bubba out what are the chances that he could get away? Are they good at getting out of your hands?

Thanx,
dave

PS I'll post pics after Bubba has had a chance to settle in.

Red-Scorpion said:

The only problem I have with hime (and it's not really with him) is our cats. They get on the table next to the viv and "paw" at the glass. Is this bad for the snake? He doesn't seem to mind it too much, but I am afraid it will make him paranoid. He does hide a bit more now though than the second day. But he is still in the open mostly.

Also will it be ok to feed him in his viv? I really don't want to take him out until I'm sure he is ok with handling. Plus would I just put him in a box to feed him?

And the last question, if I do take Bubba out what are the chances that he could get away? Are they good at getting out of your hands?

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I posted these question in Forum: Husbandry and Basic Care

Hello! Congrats on the new snake!

As for him trying to climb up the side of his viv, i believe that is completely normal. All 3 of mine do it. Just try to make sure you have the top secured!!! basically whatever he can fit his head through he will get out.

As for the cats, we only have dogs in the house so i dont have anything pawing there.. one time though my young niece was hitting on the cage and boy was he pissed. i tried getting him out and he wouldnt even warm up to me. so, i guess it would depend on how hard they were hitting the cage.

I would think saturday would be okay to feed him. make sure you thaw the pinkie real good. lol.

When i feed mine i take them out and put them in a separate container, you will of had him for 5 days so he should fine to take out and handle! corns are very docile snakes and he should have no problem letting you handle him. the reason why i take them out of the viv and i think alot more people do to is that it kind of trains them not to think they are getting fed everytime you reach in to handle them. if you feed them in a separate container, they will kinda learn that this is when ill get fed.

Well, my older corn snake doesnt really even try to get away anymore.. he just chills on my hands and my arms but for the most part just moves kinda slow. The two newer ones, i finally had a break through last night and they were both very active in my hands, yeah they were trying to get away but nothing horrible, as long as your calm and dont move really fast Bubba should be okay. as long as you pay attention and use both hands with babies you will be fine. and if he does happen to fall or slip away, they are fast but not like lightning. ive always been able to catch them again. lol

hope that answered everything, any more questions just ask, im sure someone else will post.

Congrats on your new Abbott's... Don's a great man. Both of my Abbott's came from him as well.:dancer:

All of the behavior you described so far sounds normal. Corns are crepuscular by nature (active in the evening). Evening is a cooler/safer time to explore in nature for food or for a mate. And as far as the climbing, that's normal for corns too. As with most snakes in the corn/rat snake family, a meal is often found in bird's nest or a critters' den in a tree, right? Having objects for corn to climb on will give it some good exercise!

The climbing aspect of corns is why you need to be extra careful to make their enclosure escape-proof. And then there's your cat. I have a cat and a dog too, so I'm not preachin' to the choir... but watch out if your tank has a screen top! Curiousity killed the cat, don't let it get to your new snake! Personally, I keep the door to the snake room closed all the time to prevent any other domestic intruders. If you haven't already, get a copy of Don's book, it's on his website, you'll really enjoy reading it.:spinner:

jmksnakes said:

Congrats on your new Abbott's... Don's a great man. Both of my Abbott's came from him as well.:dancer:

The climbing aspect of corns is why you need to be extra careful to make their enclosure escape-proof. And then there's your cat. I have a cat and a dog too, so I'm not preachin' to the choir... but watch out if your tank has a screen top! Curiousity killed the cat, don't let it get to your new snake! Personally, I keep the door to the snake room closed all the time to prevent any other domestic intruders. If you haven't already, get a copy of Don's book, it's on his website, you'll really enjoy reading it.:spinner:

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I got Don's book and love it. Plus I think the cat situation is fine now. They don't bother Bubba as much, and Bubba actually hides somewhat now. My screen top is metal so not too many worries about it breaking.

I once had a cat jump on top of a fish tank and break the lid and fall into the tank along with the hood light. Luckinly the cat didn't get fried.

Hi, Dave! Sounds like you're taking the calm, gentle approach with your new snake. Thats's good to hear. The next best thing you've done is to join here.