Stress/Handling

[natural-music]

Just a quick question. When handling your corn snake, how do you know its getting stressed when you handle it. Is there a specific reaction? Just wondering.

Thanks!

 

[MerlinsPop]

I'm just learning to 'read' my hatchling's body language, but I've noticed that at first it wants to bolt, but quickly settles down into a finger-weaving, crawling around, tongue flicking and exploring deal in my hands (or my son's or wife's - whoever is the 'holder' for that session). After 5 - 10 minutes, I do notice breathing rates going up a bit and more interest in escaping, so that's when the session ends and Vern gets put back.

 

[Corny Noob]

Well one of the biggest signs that I've noticed is "puffy" breathing.
The snake will literally puff out it's sides as it's breathing, just the mere sight of it should get your attention.

 

[midnightgallop]

yeah I agree. I think the "puffy" breathing is a good sign. Also, when they start to move a little more "urgently" or quicker (trying to get somewhere other than in a hand), that's also a good sign haha

 

[Checkerbelly]

When they sit perfectly still in your hand, only to literally jump out unexpectedly. Or if when you bring your other hand up toward its face, it rears up and looks at your hand and flattens it's head.

Ohhhh and also when they bite you.

 

[serafino]

After the snake settles down and acts calmly you can usually tell its stressed if it starts trying to quickly escape your hands. If your snake also takes a defensive position with its body in a position to strike and it follows your movements that lets you know its not too happy and to put it back.

 

[Sanebedlam]

When they sit perfectly still in your hand, only to literally jump out unexpectedly. Or if when you bring your other hand up toward its face, it rears up and looks at your hand and flattens it's head.

Ohhhh and also when they bite you.

However putting it back just cause it strikes isn't the best plan. You are better off holding it a little longer then putting it back. You don't want it to learn that biting is a way to go back to its cage.

 

[ntcs]

When they sit perfectly still in your hand, only to literally jump out unexpectedly. Or if when you bring your other hand up toward its face, it rears up and looks at your hand and flattens it's head.

Ohhhh and also when they bite you.

thats how i learn t, :S but mine has only gone for me ain't got hold of me yet , but when it does strike at me i tend to put it back (i get scared of it, so i put it back for a bit. Even though i shouln't)

and another way is its tail rattling, thats what mine did just befor it went for me

 

[Snake Dave]

thats how i learn t, :S but mine has only gone for me ain't got hold of me yet , but when it does strike at me i tend to put it back (i get scared of it, so i put it back for a bit. Even though i shouln't)

and another way is its tail rattling, thats what mine did just befor it went for me

I understand that it's perfectly normal to be scared, but has your snake actually managed to bite when it's struck? If not, then you'd be surprised how little it hurts, even from an adult. You can barely feel hatchling bites, especially if you're not looking lol.

Just try to continue to handle, when I first got my snake I was scared for a bit when he struck at me, but when he actually managed to bite (he's struck at me twice, both when I tried to remove shed on his tail lol) it didn't hurt a bit and the fear went

Darn my stupid country, rains all the time but isn't humid, stupid cold weather lol. His tank doesn't help either, because of his age and it's easier, I keep him on kitchen towels and his tank has lots of ventilation. Therefore = low humidity. I always prep him when he's blue and he gets most of it off in one go, but it's his tail. I need to get sphagnum moss.

Sorry that was a bit fftopic: lol.

Best of luck

 

[Snake Dave]

Right... supposed to be the off topic sign, obviously the code isn't that simple lol.