A couple months ago, around sept/oct, i wanted to buy a corn snake. I'm not sqeamish about snakes, and i've researched them a lot. But when i was at the herp show, looking at snakes, i got bitten by a hatchling constrictor... it really hurt, especuially because i'm scared of needles and thats what it felt like... i still want a corn, but i'm afraid its going to bite me.. what i'm asking is has anyone had a corn bite them, and why?
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corn as next pet?
- Thread starter rebel13
- Start date
bmm
New member
hmmm
i am surprised a hatchling anything "hurt" you. I have been bitten by a hatchling ATB which have elongated teeth, and even that doesn't 'hurt". It will be near impossible to predict if a hatchling or even adult corn will be a "biter" and bite you in the future after getting it.
All snakes can bite but corns normally don't. I have some that have never even attempted to bite, but some that have and have bitten. Most common reason I have been bitten is feeding mistakes....ie. not washing my hands of mouse smell before picking corn up etc.
The bites from most small species snakes, *especially* corns do not really hurt and corns are normally hesistant to bite. But if you are that scared of getting bitten you should know that you cannot ever gaurentee that your corn won't bite you and you might be more comfortable with another pet. Another thing to remember is a new corn may act aggresive in other ways that might make you nervous, rattling the tail, striking but not biting and dashing around like mad when you do hold them.
bmm
i am surprised a hatchling anything "hurt" you. I have been bitten by a hatchling ATB which have elongated teeth, and even that doesn't 'hurt". It will be near impossible to predict if a hatchling or even adult corn will be a "biter" and bite you in the future after getting it.
All snakes can bite but corns normally don't. I have some that have never even attempted to bite, but some that have and have bitten. Most common reason I have been bitten is feeding mistakes....ie. not washing my hands of mouse smell before picking corn up etc.
The bites from most small species snakes, *especially* corns do not really hurt and corns are normally hesistant to bite. But if you are that scared of getting bitten you should know that you cannot ever gaurentee that your corn won't bite you and you might be more comfortable with another pet. Another thing to remember is a new corn may act aggresive in other ways that might make you nervous, rattling the tail, striking but not biting and dashing around like mad when you do hold them.
bmm
Re: hmmm
Did it really connect? I can't imagine getting bit by any size ATB and it not hurting! LOL. Those teeth!
At any rate, as a response to the initial question...
Many people are initially put off by strikes. It is scary if you are not used to it. And, yes, some types of snake bites can hurt. A hatchling corn is not really big enough to get it's mouth on you but if it did, it would be like getting "velcroed". As they get larger and you get more experienced, you will learn to "read" your snake's attitude and behavior. But, even a large corn is not going to inflict a really painful bite. It will more likely startle you. And that is on the rare occasion that most of them strike...
I have kept snakes all of my life so when they act silly or jumpy, it doesn't bother me. But my sons are not as accustomed to it. My oldest sons first ball python was a psycho. Truly. That snake was the only schitzo ball python I have ever seen, and at 1 1/2 years, when he bit (which was EVERY time we came near it no matter how careful we were), it drew blood even if it didn't hurt. At first, my son was really freaked out. After a while, he learned to keep the "loaded" end of the snake pointed away from him and to read the snakes body language. Ultimately, he traded that python to a friend for use as a breeder and took a hatchling home. That new snake is as different from that first snake as night is from day. I guess what I am trying to illustrate here is that there are lots of different snake personalities. And, you will get more experienced so that the occasional strike won't freak you out. Chances are, you will never see your corn strike.
One thing you might consider is getting a larger, perhaps yearling, corn rather than a hatchling. You won't pay much more but the snake's personality will be more evident as it will have outgrown that hatchling jumpiness. I love to look at my hatchlings, but honestly, I don't get anything out of holding them. In fact, I rarely mess with them except to feed and water them and clean their cages. I pick them up briefly to check them, but they are just too jumpy. Once they start to get some size, I enjoy them alot more. I love yearlings because they are so darn curious!
Good luck and don't be afraid!
Mare
bmm said:
Did it really connect? I can't imagine getting bit by any size ATB and it not hurting! LOL. Those teeth!
At any rate, as a response to the initial question...
Many people are initially put off by strikes. It is scary if you are not used to it. And, yes, some types of snake bites can hurt. A hatchling corn is not really big enough to get it's mouth on you but if it did, it would be like getting "velcroed". As they get larger and you get more experienced, you will learn to "read" your snake's attitude and behavior. But, even a large corn is not going to inflict a really painful bite. It will more likely startle you. And that is on the rare occasion that most of them strike...
I have kept snakes all of my life so when they act silly or jumpy, it doesn't bother me. But my sons are not as accustomed to it. My oldest sons first ball python was a psycho. Truly. That snake was the only schitzo ball python I have ever seen, and at 1 1/2 years, when he bit (which was EVERY time we came near it no matter how careful we were), it drew blood even if it didn't hurt. At first, my son was really freaked out. After a while, he learned to keep the "loaded" end of the snake pointed away from him and to read the snakes body language. Ultimately, he traded that python to a friend for use as a breeder and took a hatchling home. That new snake is as different from that first snake as night is from day. I guess what I am trying to illustrate here is that there are lots of different snake personalities. And, you will get more experienced so that the occasional strike won't freak you out. Chances are, you will never see your corn strike.
One thing you might consider is getting a larger, perhaps yearling, corn rather than a hatchling. You won't pay much more but the snake's personality will be more evident as it will have outgrown that hatchling jumpiness. I love to look at my hatchlings, but honestly, I don't get anything out of holding them. In fact, I rarely mess with them except to feed and water them and clean their cages. I pick them up briefly to check them, but they are just too jumpy. Once they start to get some size, I enjoy them alot more. I love yearlings because they are so darn curious!
Good luck and don't be afraid!
Mare
Rainey
Why can't I have more?
Amazon Tree Boa
They are by far my favorite snake as far as what they look like. I love the rich colors. I do not however like the teeth. I agree with Mare, I can't imagine those not hurting!
But back to you Rebel, I got my hatchling corn (Katie) in one of those deli cups and when I went to take it out of the deli cup to put in it's new home. She was beside herself (probably had something to do with the whole airplane ride deal). She was coiled and her tail was rattling (my buddy thought they sent me the wrong species of snake, namely rattler). I put my finger and thumb in to pick her up and she struck at me. She was about 10 inches long and she thought she was pretty tough, but it felt like her nose just tapped my finger. She has never nipped at me since and my other corn has never nipped at me ever.
I, unlike mare, love getting my corns as hatchlings. I love being able to mold them and get them used to being handled. The whole "taming" process is so rewarding. buying a yearling is kinda like buying a 3 year old dog, you're usually getting someone elses problems. The snake may not have been handled much and is not used to it...
Anywho, as always on this forum, you've got options. I hope I was a bit helpful (as with the others).
Good luck (snake bites don't usually hurt)
i`ve just got my first corn and quite simply can`t imgaine it biting anyone - its a real easy to handle creature that doesnt appear too nervous despite its change of surroundings. Introducing it to the tank was the only time i`ve handled it without the supervision of the snake specialist i bought it from but tbh it was real easy - neither the snake or I were too stressed by it 
gonna have to change me sig now.... 0.0.1 Snow Corn - "Chione"
gonna have to change me sig now.... 0.0.1 Snow Corn - "Chione"
thanks for all the replies! in retrospect, i'm not sure it was a hatchling and i don't think it hurt that much, but the shock (and fear)definitly added to it... my next herp show is jan 5th or 11th.. so i might pick one up then along with a pictus gecko... 20 gal is okay for corns, right? someone said it was 20L but i don't remember...
pauljordanuk
New member
If you want to get into herping then you WILL get bitten at some stage. If you intend on keeping corns, then the fear of the bite is more a problem, after you get bit you'll thing "What was I so worried about !" However if your enthusiasm progresses and you get yourself a retic then thats a bite to worry about. Dont let the fear of a bite stop you from getting a corn....