I am sick of my Corn Snake

[Ocelot]

It really sounds like you are not ready for herping, nor does it seem as if you are able to follow the directions the members here gave you.. You might consider giving the snake up to someone who has more expieriance, because it sounds like your friend is stressed, which might be the death of it. I am not trying to be mean, but I think the consideration for the animal is something to really look at.

Regards...

Well I think you are wrong.

Now how would you feel if you were me? All excited about getting a snake, planning on getting one for a few years, then when yo get him, it seems like it hates you? I think you wouldn't exactley be the happiest either. Its all new to me, I never had a snake before! I look to you guys for advise, and you tell me to give it away? I was planning on trying the things these guys have told me! They told me not to touch it for a week, and I didn't touch it for a week. Now they have given me more advise and I am going to try and take it!

You say give the snake up to someone who is more experienced? Now how would that work out. Everyone who got their first snake I'm sure wasn't experienced, and isn't every snake aggressive when you first bring it home? You also say its stressed. Its not like its my fault. I've tried to give it the best home I can possibly give it.

I was always fine with snakes, mainly because they never tried to bite me before! Its like dogs aswell. If one bit you, you would think twice before you try to go near it again, right?

 

[TandJ]

I have been bit by snakes, dogs, cats, and other vermin.. Doesn't mean I am leary of handling them, even the ones that I have been bite by.. I am just saying you seem to be very uncomfortable and reluctant to handle to snake in a way that would be conclusive to future handling..

I just looked at when the thread was started, and I realize it is fairly old. From the way you typed and seem to be panicing, and freaking out I assumed you were younger person, who just starting thread within the last few days. Perhaps I didn't give you enough credit, but I honestly think if some one feels insecure about their animals maybe they should find someone who can handle them properly. Thats what I said to myself last night as I came across a 3ft Sidewinder on the side of the road.. I didn't mess with him because I was uncomfortable ( the absence of a snake hook was probably the only thing that caused me any hestitation of actually picking it up ).

Each to his own...

Regards...

 

[Lennycorn]

Well then try the opposite, First let him chill for a few days. Then put the latex gloves on. Open the viv and slowly put you hand in. Try to get tag. Pick him up a few inches. Touch him. Etc etc. But I don't mean to provoke him. Put it in your mind that you're going to get tag. Do not jerk your hand back!!! . Pick him up a little and crawl off again. Guess I'm trying to say is let the snake get tried of striking at you And you must get over the fear of a strike. . Try this for maybe?? 5mins a day?? Change the water while your there, clean out any poop. Let him get used to your hand.
I will be getting flame on now, but oh well . If you tried the first way then try this.
Good luck Don’t give up hope.
Just a thought

 

[whatsit107]

I dont think you should get rid of your snake, because like you said, if everyone who got bitten got rid of their snakes, no one would have snakes. You just need to get comfortable holding him. All he has in his mind is that you are going to eat him, and all he is concerned about is getting as far away from you as possible. His natural defense is to bite, so thats what he does. If he learns that he can get away from you by biting, thats what he will continue to do. You just have to teach him that this is not acceptable. Even if he does bite you, just keep holding him. Don't put him back in the viv until he has been calm for a few minutes. Teach him that by being calm, he will get what he wants. Some snakes are calm from the day you get them, others take months (even years) to calm down. Different snakes have different personalities, just like every other animal. Like you said, the bites dont hurt so there is really nothing to be afraid of.


:-offtopic
I wonder why more people why more people are not deathly afraid of cats? I have been mauled more seriously by my cat than any other pet I have owned.

 

[Joejr14]

...< engaging GBB mode ...>

Ocelot, how old are you?

While I can understand your dislike of being bitten, because it's not a pleasant thing, we're talking about a hatchling here. If we were talking about an adult, I could understand the fear. Hatchlings do not hurt. Their teeth are almost non-existant and you can barely feel them bite.

If you're terrified of a hatchling, to be honest, a snake probably isn't the best pet for you. I mean, if you cant reach in and simply pick a hatchling up, it's going to grow up into an adult and then you'll never pick it up. Adults bites while certainly are not painful, they're definitely not pleasant and will draw blood.

You definitely need to get over this fear of hatchlings sooner rather than later. Not all snakes that are brought home from stores or shows are nasty. Every hatchling I've ever bought have been absolutely fine---no signs of aggression or anything.

I got a pair of 2003's from Kathy Love back in Feb and they were fine when I was transferring them from their deli cups into their homes, but for about a month they would show signs of aggression, i.e getting into that strike pose and rattling their tails. I just laughed. If they bit me, oh well. A hatchling or yearling bite isn't going to hurt and really shouldn't be a cause for concern.

You've really just gotta reach into the tank and snatch em up. Get some Purell and use that on your hands before you reach into the tank everyime. Eventually the snake will get used to the smell and stop biting, and I can only imagine that rubbing alcohol doesn't taste too well.

 

[MegF.]

One thing Ocelot. I had one of my young ones that rattled her tail, bit, musked and any assortment of the above behaviors. As she's gotten larger (she's now almost a year) she has mellowed considerably. I did spend a lot of time just putting her in a shallow rubbermaid container and picking her up and putting her back. I repeated it over and over until she acted calmer and then I put her away. She has now gone several weeks without offering to do any of the obnoxious stuff, and is much quieter in my hand. Don't give up hope. Corns are for the most part a mellow breed, and some just take a little more time than others. Calm slow movements, easing your hand under the body, and softly grasping it works much better than grabbing when they get quick. It might take a few tries, but you will find that you'll get it. I know it's hard not to quickly grasp when they get to scooting around the tank, but if you just take a deep breath and relax, you'll have better results. I'm sure your snake will come around. You might just have to wait a while until it feels a little more secure.

 

[Joejr14]

Since I see Kathy browsing the thread, I should add that those two I got from her are absolute angels now. Two of my tamest. Sometimes it takes a few months for them to settle totally down, sometimes it doesn't.

However, you need to work on it and not be terrified.

 

[PssdffJay]

...< engaging GBB mode ...>getting into that strike pose and rattling their tails. I just laughed.

They actually rattle their tails!! that sounds so cute for a hatchling to do... but im still not going to go piss off Nagini to see her do it though!!

 

[colinmcc]

They actually rattle their tails!! that sounds so cute for a hatchling to do... but im still not going to go piss off Nagini to see her do it though!!

Some do, some don't.

I've had my two oldest snakes for 13 years now and neither one has ever rattled their tails or adopted anything even remotely resembling an aggresive pose.

My five year old will get aggresive when he's hungry, I get the odd tail rattle out og him then. The rest of the time he's docile as.

One of my other females has always been twitchy. She's just shy but she'll act aggressive sometimes if she feels cornered - coiling, rattling etc - she never actually bites though ...... the big woos!

They're all different but persistence and correct handling when they're young goes a long, long way.

 

[scalesnthings]

I wonder why more people why more people are not deathly afraid of cats? I have been mauled more seriously by my cat than any other pet I have owned.

Haha.. it's funny you should say that.. my boyfriend was always the reptile person, and I was always the cat person.. Almost every scar on my body is from a cat, yet I'm not afraid of the meanist "tiger" out there.. I went a good 6 months in a house full of reptiles without ever getting bitten, and then it happened. I was holding a neonate that we had just gotten. We didn't know how long it had been since he had eaten, but we definatly found out he was hungry.. I felt something tickle, yes, I said tickle, my thumb, but when I looked down, I found he was trying to get his whole little (but rapidly expanding) mouth around my digit! I FREAKED, big time. Started screaming and everything (No one says a WORD about this, even though I'm admitting it here, I will never admit to it again! lol). Here I am, having been tore open to the point I probably should have gotten stitches from cats, and I'm screaming my head off over a tiny, hungry cornsnake. Though in my defence, I've never been an object of food for a cat.. anyway, I'm still a little shy when it comes to the ones I know are brats.. we have one, Racer, that we've had for about 8-9 months now, and he is still an evil demon. I don't know how he was in the store, but he hates EVERYTHING that moves here... we still love him though.. I just won't pick him up w/o latex gloves.. my boyfriend gets so mad at me for being shy, and says the same thing everyone here has been saying, you just have to go for it. I'm still learning the same thing, you're not the only one! Just be persistant, and the biggest battle here I think is with yourself, I know that that's the case for me!

~Laine

 

[ScottyK]

...< engaging GBB mode ...>

I got a pair of 2003's from Kathy Love back in Feb and they were fine when I was transferring them from their deli cups into their homes, but for about a month they would show signs of aggression, i.e getting into that strike pose and rattling their tails. I just laughed. If they bit me, oh well. A hatchling or yearling bite isn't going to hurt and really shouldn't be a cause for concern.

Kathy must sell some fiesty snakes

I have two 2005 Cornutopia hatchlings that I just received last week. They are both absolute beauties. One of the two repeatedly bit me as I transferred her from her shipping container to her new home. After leaving them totally alone for four days I transferred "Little Bitey" back into her deli cup for a meal (they both ate right away). She struck a few more times then settled right down and let me handle her for a few minutes.

My point is that if I wasn't looking at the snake, I wouldn't have known I was being bit. You can't even feel it when they are that small. Just settle down, reach in slowly and confidently and gently pick the snake up between your thumb and forefinger. Cup it in your second hand without letting go, and gently restrain it until it calms down.

 

[~slither~]

My advice would be don't grab her. Let her come to you and eventually she will. Mine did. They must want to get out the viv every now and again, and I just made it so that if her head came out, my hand was waiting for her to slither onto it. Even now she's a little skittish if I grab her, but 9 times out of 10 she'll have no problem coming onto my hand, otherwise she'll just turn straight back around. I might add that I've never been bitten or even struck at. *touch wood* never will.

 

[PssdffJay]

Kathy must sell some fiesty snakes

I have two 2005 Cornutopia hatchlings that I just received last week. They are both absolute beauties. One of the two repeatedly bit me as I transferred her from her shipping container to her new home. After leaving them totally alone for four days I transferred "Little Bitey" back into her deli cup for a meal (they both ate right away). She struck a few more times then settled right down and let me handle her for a few minutes.

My point is that if I wasn't looking at the snake, I wouldn't have known I was being bit. You can't even feel it when they are that small. Just settle down, reach in slowly and confidently and gently pick the snake up between your thumb and forefinger. Cup it in your second hand without letting go, and gently restrain it until it calms down.

Maybe I have been tagged then, I dont know. I remember the first time I picked up Nagini to put her in her feeding container, she was facing the back of my hand by my pinky (finger, not mouse) and I remember something hitting my pinky nuckle really fast but it didnt hurt or something, I just thought that I brushed it against something... who knows... maybe I was tagged, but nothing has happpened since.

 

[Loxfiredance]

Snakies

When I went to get my two babies in June (actually they were yearlings,) I had my heart set on a Charcoal and an Okeetee, although it was my boyfriend who really wanted the black one, (hes a goth lol). We went into the shop and I saw the snake for me instantly, he was beautiful, red with black rings. I held him and he was fine, very docile and sweet. There was a Charcoal there as well but when my b/f held her she rattled her tail and tried to bite me when I stroked her. It turned out she wasn't the one for us and so we decided on a lovely motley snow instead, he was of fantastic temperament and so we decided on those two.
The only thing now is, through holding that black one, my b/f is nervous around the others, even though they'd never even consider biting. I konw you're a fist time owner, Ocelot, but have you had an experience before this corn snake with another animal that's made you so nervous about them? Perhaps a dream, or maybe a member of your family was harmed by a snake?
Corn snake bites don't hurt and if yours does get you don't pull your hand away or you could rip his little teeth out.

 

[~slither~]

All people are a little worried when you say the word snake. It's only because they've probably never had the privilege of handling one. All of my friends who at first were scared, or at least a little nervous, of my girl are now snake lovers, and one mate even decided to get himself one. The only person who I can't convert is my mother, but she doesn't like any animals, not even cats and dogs. I kinda think thats why I am into my pets, because I was never allowed them as a child. At least it keeps her out of my b/room lol.
At the end of the day there is no way a corn is going to seriously hurt you, just wish I could conince mother of that. One day I will.
Oh and pssdffjay, From what i've gathered young corns normally don't open their mouths when they go for you, they just headbutt you. So you probably got nutted.

 

[peep_827]

Kathy must sell some fiesty snakes

I have two 2005 Cornutopia hatchlings that I just received last week. They are both absolute beauties. One of the two repeatedly bit me as I transferred her from her shipping container to her new home. After leaving them totally alone for four days I transferred "Little Bitey" back into her deli cup for a meal (they both ate right away). She struck a few more times then settled right down and let me handle her for a few minutes.

By any chance is your bitey baby an okeetee? Mine tried to tag my nose when I had to stop and check out his beautiful little self while transferring him to his deli cup the 1st time I fed him. Kathy had mentioned to me at some point that her okeetees tend to be a little wild at first but usually settle down, so I'm not too worried it.

I agree that being tagged by a hatchling, or even a yearling, is no big deal. It feels more like a tap than a bite anyway - it's kinda funny to see really.

 

[babbaloo99]

Ocelot, if it helps any, perhaps you can ask someone with experience with snakes to come over and handle the snake for you (after it has had a few days to destress). Then you can see how that person confidently picks the snake up and handles it. I remember when I first got my snake, the breeder handled him with ease. Then when I got him home, I was so nervous the snake seemed like a totally different animal. It really could sense my nervousnous. But then you will see that the animal really is still that sweet snake you saw it was, it's just how you approach it. It just has to realize you are not a threat and then it will mellow out. Trust me, sometimes watching someone can really help.

 

[ReavenFeathers]

IMHO I think this kid isnt going to listen to us, he/she will only hear/read what they want to hear and ignore everything else.

We keep repeating ourselves when this kid comes back asking for more advice. We gave it to him/her now let him/her figure it out! Personally this person needs to grow up a little and learn disapointments happen :sobstory: If you're bitten by the snake...ok...yeah that sucks, but SO? Is it poisonous? Did it kill you? C'Mon now! :bang:

I have scars on my neck from freaking Labradors that throught I was the most demonic thing alive...and 1/3 the muscles in my arm are perminatly ripped from a Chow latching onto my arm. Does that mean I become a little sissy? No! I just girn and bear it. Now I am not affaid of dogs biting me, infact I have formed an immunity to it (in a sence)

GROW UP. :twoguns: For the love of jesus! Take our advice, or stop posting that its still biting you.

Owning any Herp must come with a sence of PATIENCE and an understanding that snakes are not completely domesticated. Sorry to break the bubble...but snakes are just no Dogs or cats....or FISH for heaven sakes! If you cannot handle the fact that snakes do, will, can and have bitten people then DONT get one. Best recommendation is getting a goldfish. Then you dont have to worry about it biting through the 1/3 inche sheet of glass, plus they cant jump.

Am I being mean here? No, I am being realistic. Snakes are cool and all, but they are BY FAR not for everyone. Take a step back from your love of snakes and really think, in thought FOR the snake's well being and not your selfish wants, and really deside if snakes are something that you love enough to OWN. If you KNOW you love them enough to own, then get over a hatchling bitting you. Get over ANYTHING snake related biting you. It happens...and as I said, if you cannot handle it (or take our advice PERIOD, because to be frank I havent really seen anything that you have typed that has followed our advice) dont own snakes.

My two cents. :idea:

 

[colinmcc]

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ..... muchos LOL! :crazy02:

I should have seen it coming after I posted on the 'Bitten?' poll (not once in 13 years ... until tonight) ....

I was cleaning out the hatchling tubs tonight. First time I've cleaned out clutch number 3. They all seemed really docile when I transferred them from the incubator tub into their nursery tubs. Well, it looks like they've been gathering their strength since I put them in there a couple of days ago.

Got a couple of rattles from two of them. Then about the 7th or 8th one turned and tagged me once I'd picked it up .... ha ha ha ha ha .... how funny was that. The next one managed to get me twice, rattling like crazy the whole time.

I had to take a break after that 'cos I was laughing my head off. The wife came up to watch me cleaning out the last 3 or 4 to see if one of them would go for it .... none did. I did invite her to try the most bitey one herself .... she declined. lol.

Gotta say though, having a hatchling go for you is actually pretty funny. Tough guy act all the way. :twoguns:

I did wonder why this lot seemed so mellow. Their mother has always been a bit skittish. Not especially aggressive but jumpy and prone to giving her tail a rattle now and then. Looks like some of the hatchlings got a bit of her temperament after all. :grin01:

Still, I'm guessing when they're a bit bitey, they shouldn't be a problem to get them feeding.

 

[TandJ]

Sounds like Murphy has visited you!

Regards..