Senses

[dragonfly]

I put this thread here because it relates to adaptation to a new environment, yes?

So, I'm looking for opinions...observations...and / or straight facts about corn snakes' reliance on the various senses. Would it be true that a fair amount of information they gather about their surroundings is through scent? Is that what the tongue-flickering is all about (or is that considtered taste )? I suppose a fair amount would also be sight.

See, my corn had been handled quite a lot by the previous owner, so I figured he shouldn't be terrified if I handle him. But he definately made those panic-like attempts to flea my hands and run for it. After a couple days he was more relaxed, and seemed more currious about other places than despirate to leave my hands. That experience is where I hypothesized that perhaps they get used to your scent (or taste)... Because for them, the look and feeling of being handled by a human would be quite similar person to person, no?

Then maybe it only took him a couple days to calm down because he was used to the feeling of being handled, but not used to me.

OR perhaps it's got nothing to do with how I smell, and he was still stressed from having changed locations. I waited almost 3 days before his first feeding (was trying to stick to the scheduel of the previous owner), and the next day was when handling started.

(Oh yes, he was 1.5 years old when he came to me).

Anyhow, he and I are best of friends now (ha ha well for a human and a snake)... So let's hear it then! Opinions ... stories ... thoughts!!!

I do realize I could just do my own research on the matter but I thought hearing from other snake keepers would be more fun

 

[diamondlil]

hard to say, but I think it's a combination of how you smell, and how you are reacting, because as well as your unique scent, the snake would be able to feel your pulse rate and skin conductivity. My snakes are as calm with my youngest son as with me, but he is 'animal boy'! he has his own leopard gecko and helps a great deal in handling and taming new pets. With my middle boy his favorite snake, my anery, actually seems to prefer to be held by him. My eldest boy is more nervous, the snakes never settle on him and I always have to be there to rescue him after a couple of minutes

 

[MegF.]

I've found that my snakes act more calmly when I handle them, so I hypothesize that there is some form of scent recognition. I suspect that being a new person, a new location and such was the reason for your new snake's reaction. I also would not recommend handling a snake until at least 48 hours after feeding or you risk a regurge.

 

[dragonfly]

I also would not recommend handling a snake until at least 48 hours after feeding or you risk a regurge.

Oh yeah, thanks for the reminder. When I said I fed him I didn't mention that he didn't eat it...I have another thread about that somewhere else, haha. Life.