handling a potentially blind snake?

[beyourownspotlight]

I have a corn snake named Alfie (that was his name he already had) he's about nine, and has had a couple of previous owners, one who supposedly wanted a python and needed rid of Alfie to make room, then the second owner realised they were unfit to properly care for him, and then he ended back up for sale at the pet shop (I know, I know, pet shops can be horrible, but honestly this pet shop is actually alright). So when I went to look at the snakes, the 'snake guy' (he called himself that haha) on duty told us about a lovely 7-9 (they're unsure for 100%) year old corn snake that they had. Super chill. Had a bit of a bumpy ride up to where he is now etc. So I met him, and fell in love.
He's supposedly albino, white. White (sorta just slightly darker markings). Pink eyes. Now, the man in the pet shop did give us a head up that he thought Alfies sight might not be all that great, so I was wondering a couple of things. Firstly could the fact that he's albino cause him to have a greater chance of being poor sighted?

I handled him a very short time today (I handled him at the pet shop too, of course. But because I was letting him just run through my hands freely/climb my arms his sight seemed fine to me), and placed him in what I will be using as his 'feeding tub', and I noticed while he was flicking his tongue, he also seemed to purposely let himself sort of lightly run the edge of his nose along the sides of the tub. Is that normal for snakes when exploring? Alfie is my first pet snake, my boyfriends brother has 4 and I've never been aware of any of them doing that.

Of course I want him to be as happy, and comfortable, and as stressfree as possible, so if he does have poor sight, is there any special way I can let him know that my hand is going to touch him so as not to startle him? I've opened the glass and spoken to him, to let him hear me approach, and touched his substrate before lightly touching his middle to lift him, but I still seemed to startle him. I don't want him to be frightened by me. I've been putting my hands in his viv when changing his water, trying to let him get used to my smell, and handling him for very short periods close to his viv, then letting him back inside when he wants to go. Any advice?

I'm using aspen bedding, he's got plenty of places to hide. A heat mat with a heat gradient of about 25/26-30 degrees in his viv. No light over head because the man in the petshop said he could be more sensitive to light with his pink eyes. Is there anything else I could be doing to make Alfie more comfortable? I know the main thing is time for him to learn I'm not a threat to him, but in the meantime am I forgetting anything?

I'm going to attach a wee picture of him, and maybe someone could confirm if he is albino?

 

[Karl_Mcknight]

yes, snakes run their noses along things sometimes. They have pretty good eye sight, and they rely on taste and smell as well.

You can check your snake's eyesight if you're afraid of it being blind. Just wave your hand(s) back and forth a few inches in front of the snake. If his eyes are fine he should look at your hand moving, maybe even back up a bit or flick his tongue. My snake notices me whenever I walk into the room, and if he's out and about he will turn and look at me.

 

[DollysMom]

My rescue snake is nearly blind. She is definitely blind in one eye. I wouldn't hesitate to adopt another blind snake. It really isn't a problem for a captive snake.

Alfie looks like what we call a snow. In the corn snake world we tend to refer to snakes without melanin as amelanistc rather than albino, but yes a snow is one of a number of albino morphs. He's really cute. Looks like Mr. Personality to me!

 

[DLena]

He's a handsome boy, and very lucky to have found you. I noticed you have just joined. Welcome to the forum. This is a very caring place, dry unique.

 

[beyourownspotlight]

thanks so much for replying, as i'm so new to keeping snakes, I was just worried incase there was something I could be doing for him.

When he's awake, and alert I'll try moving my hand to see if he follows the movement or not

 

[beyourownspotlight]

My rescue snake is nearly blind. She is definitely blind in one eye. I wouldn't hesitate to adopt another blind snake. It really isn't a problem for a captive snake.

Alfie looks like what we call a snow. In the corn snake world we tend to refer to snakes without melanin as amelanistc rather than albino, but yes a snow is one of a number of albino morphs. He's really cute. Looks like Mr. Personality to me!

Do you do anything special before handling her to let her know that your hand is about to touch her, to avoid startling her? Or will Alfie be better, once he learns my scent more and learns I'm not a threat?

 

[Twolunger]

My amelanistic corn snakes do not like bright lights, but neither do the others. It's hard to determine if their eyesight is poorer, since we usually keep them in a vivarium or container where even a blind snake can locate prey. Some say corn snakes are nocturnal, so eyesight wouldn't really matter much. However, in reality corns are active both day and night. Wild corns may prefer hunting at night if daytime temps are too high, as they are in Florida. I don't do anything special when handling my corns, just reach in and grab them without fanfare. I think snakes are more stressed when their handler is timid about picking them up. I'm not saying you need to be rough in picking them up though, just grab the snake and it will be calm in seconds as you handle it.

 

[beyourownspotlight]

My amelanistic corn snakes do not like bright lights, but neither do the others. It's hard to determine if their eyesight is poorer, since we usually keep them in a vivarium or container where even a blind snake can locate prey. Some say corn snakes are nocturnal, so eyesight wouldn't really matter much. However, in reality corns are active both day and night. Wild corns may prefer hunting at night if daytime temps are too high, as they are in Florida. I don't do anything special when handling my corns, just reach in and grab them without fanfare. I think snakes are more stressed when their handler is timid about picking them up. I'm not saying you need to be rough in picking them up though, just grab the snake and it will be calm in seconds as you handle it.

so, just make sure my movements are confident/with purpose?

 

[DLena]

I give mine a little tap to let them know it's just me, no food involved, especially if they're partially buried in the Aspen. If I'm lifting off a hide, they know I'm there.
It's a habit I've gotten into with my DRMB...when he's startled he musks something fierce.
And that sticks literally and figuratively.

 

[beyourownspotlight]

I give mine a little tap to let them know it's just me, no food involved, especially if they're partially buried in the Aspen. If I'm lifting off a hide, they know I'm there.
It's a habit I've gotten into with my DRMB...when he's startled he musks something fierce.
And that sticks literally and figuratively.

When I touch Alfie, I did try that a gentle touch somewhere near his middle to let him know I was there, he just slithered away from me haha. Is that a sign he's not interested in being handled at that point in time, or do snakes just do that from time to time? He was alright once I had him in my hands. Active, up my arm, wrapped his lower body around my wrist tightly (not painfully or anything, but if I were to stop supporting him with my other hand, he wasn't going to fall or go anywhere that's for sure).

 

[Karl_Mcknight]

When Rufus was young, he would squirm and try to get away when I would reach my hand into his cage. He even rattled his tail at me once.

So I started tapping on his cage a few times before entering to let him know I was Coming in. (I still do this today and I've had him about 2-1/2 years now.) They can feel the vibrations and hear the thump. Some folks think snakes can't hear. I'm not sure how much and what they can and can not, but I know if I yell or laugh or make some sort of loud noise, Rufus will turn and look at me.

Anyway, after several years of hanging out together, I can reach into his cage now and he doesn't even move. I just pick him right up. Usually when I walk into the room if he's out cruising his cage he will actually come to the door and look at me. When I open the door he will most times crawl right into my hands.

The only times I have to reach inside his cage is if he's in his Hide, or if I need to do some cleaning.

 

[beyourownspotlight]

When Rufus was young, he would squirm and try to get away when I would reach my hand into his cage. He even rattled his tail at me once.

So I started tapping on his cage a few times before entering to let him know I was Coming in. (I still do this today and I've had him about 2-1/2 years now.) They can feel the vibrations and hear the thump. Some folks think snakes can't hear. I'm not sure how much and what they can and can not, but I know if I yell or laugh or make some sort of loud noise, Rufus will turn and look at me.

Anyway, after several years of hanging out together, I can reach into his cage now and he doesn't even move. I just pick him right up. Usually when I walk into the room if he's out cruising his cage he will actually come to the door and look at me. When I open the door he will most times crawl right into my hands.

The only times I have to reach inside his cage is if he's in his Hide, or if I need to do some cleaning.

I hope we can get close to that level hahaha. I speak to him, when I open the doors of the viv, I've tried lots of wee bits and bobs. I just want this to be as stressfree for him, I feel like he's not had the best humans in his life before now (I don't think he was ever abused on purpose, more just not wanted??)

 

[DLena]

I feel like he's not had the best humans in his life before now (I don't think he was ever abused on purpose, more just not wanted??)

I think you're correct on this. He didn't learn how that be a real pet/family member. Some people say snakes don't care...but look at Rufus, Cleo, Mandy, Clyde, Loopy...they aren't "just snakes"
That kind of relationship takes time to build familiarity and trust.
You seem like the kind of person who can give that to your snake baby.

 

[DollysMom]

I think you're correct on this. He didn't learn how that be a real pet/family member. Some people say snakes don't care...but look at Rufus, Cleo, Mandy, Clyde, Loopy...they aren't "just snakes"
That kind of relationship takes time to build familiarity and trust.
You seem like the kind of person who can give that to your snake baby.

Neither are yours "just snakes", DLena, that's for sure. They definitely are beloved companions.

Which reminds me, time to go spend some quality time with the girls. Happy to report Clyde has a full tummy and so is "indisposed".

 

[beyourownspotlight]

I think you're correct on this. He didn't learn how that be a real pet/family member. Some people say snakes don't care...but look at Rufus, Cleo, Mandy, Clyde, Loopy...they aren't "just snakes"
That kind of relationship takes time to build familiarity and trust.
You seem like the kind of person who can give that to your snake baby.

Aw, thankyou.
I know I'm capable of having that relationship, I've done it with my rats, and my lizard (I don't currently own rats, that was a few years ago. I do currently have my lizard though--- she is the biggest cuddle bug ever).