Aggression?

[Wizwise2000]

March 23rd I fed my corn, tonight I put my hand in to get his water dish to change the water and he came out of his hide, and headed toward my hand, he did this 2 different times. When I fed him, I used a pair of tongs and dangled the hopper near his enclosure, he nailed it and took it in and ate it. Is this why he is coming after my hand?

He never comes out near me, he is usually in his hide and hiding away. That's why this is strange.

I can't force myself to get tagged, I know it'll happen eventually, and that will probably help my fear. So, once again I am scared of him, lol. I know, I'm a wuss:)

Any information is greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Shane

[lakeridgekennel]

Do you feed him in his cage? if you do then feed him in a rubbermaid outside of his tank he thinks that everytime you put your hand in the tank there will be food so when you feed him in a rubbermaid he will not think that everytime you stick your hand in there will be food.
Just my 2 cents.

[Oliverian]

As long as you don't smell like food, he probably won't bite you. A lot of mine do this just to see what my hand is. He's probably just curious as to what your hand is. Don't worry.

-TammyR

[marisa]

Assuming you practice proper husbandry, lets say you open the tank once for cleaning, once for feeding, and maybe once more for water, and then handling lets say once. That's FOUR cage opening and only one of them brings food. To assume the snake will think all times are for food is silly. They are hugnry, they are greedy feeders and I assure you corns fed outside their enclosure can act "aggresive"

Another reason the logic is faulty is because if its true that they can get conditioned to your hand being food, then why would feeding in another enclosure help? Wont they get conditioned that every time you pick them up they are eating? No they dont. And it doesnt work that way with in the cage feeding either.

Most feeding aggresion is also AFTER the feeding. Removing the snake at this time to place back home is the best time to get bitten. They are highly sensitive to movements at this time, and want to eat more.

I feed ALL my snakes in enclosure and have for three years + I have been bitten by an adult colubrid ONE time and that had nothing to do with being fed.

All babies will come at you sometimes, its a bluff. They get excited at any movement and want to eat. That's how they are. The only REAL proven reason to feed outside enclosure is if you use loose substrate to avoid ingestion. With time and handling and age your corn may not "come at you" as much although like I said, they love to eat. Normally once you grab them and have them in hand they know its not food time and they are fine to handle.

Marisa

[Wizwise2000]

This is the first time he's done this. I put my hand near the lid and he's quite quick to lift his head and part of his body to see what's going on. And he's sitting here staring at me. This is just all unusual for him, as this is the first time.

Usually I feed while he is in his hide, I just plop the mouse in and within 30 minutes he'll come out and get it. The past feeding was with tongs.

Shane

[HeatherK]

It could be that he's just getting more comfortable with you and that's why you haven't seen the behaviour before.

I concur with Marisa's post. My corn has just started doing this. I know at the time I first noticed it, she was ready for a meal. However, I don't dangle prey inside her tank with my fingers.. I drop food in with another object.. however for changing water, getting her out, etc. the hand goes in, and so there goes the 'fingers equal food' idea. A good feeding response would have them interested in anything moving that could be eaten. They're animals, and reptiles especially are driven by instinct.

[Wizwise2000]

I didn't see Marisa's post, much helpful it is. I'll get a video of this so those interested can see it, if this is an ok idea of course. Keep the opinions coming of course:)

Thanks
Shane

[marisa]

You don't need a video. Well take one if you want but you know what i mean. It's totally normal. I can hardly get into my baby corns tank without him coming at me, or trying to push himself out of the tank.

They are active, always want food. You moving in the tank or anywhere might mean food, so they "rush you" to check it out.

Marisa

[gonesnakee]

I hook or a stick even can work good with even the most aggressive feeding snakes. Open the cage reach in & touch the snake just to let it know that no foods coming. A hungry or startled snake will grab first & let go after once it knows its error. Remember snakes use their hides for ambushes also LOL A quick touch with a hook or stick can save lots of tags. I just about got it from a five foot Carpet Python yesterday because of not using one. He was on the far side I went to grab his hide on the other side & he just missed me. Right away I grabbed the hook touched him with it & then just reached in and grabbed him. If I did this in the beginning I would not have put myself at risk. Sometimes just a little "hello its just me touch" will save ya some tags. Shane it sounds like you still need to spend some more time becoming corfortable with your pet LOL Good Luck Mark

[Wizwise2000]

Thanks Mark.
I agree 110%, I do need to get comfortable still. I've loved snakes my whole life, I'm just terrified of getting tagged, even by the smallest of them lol.

Thanks again.
Shane

[Cedille]

I got my first snake in 2001 and have 8 corns and 2 garters now.. i'd never been bitten before until last week or so... i was sort of afraid of it happening.

It was my own fault though... i stuck my hand too close to his food and he tagged me. But they let go IMMEDIATELY after realizing that you're not food. Just a couple pin holes and i barely even bled.. so don't be afraid. There are much worse things in the world than a corn snake bite. ;)

But the alertness and the "staring" and tracking your hand are all normal behaviour. Keep in mind that a snake is many times smaller than you, and that it's only natural for them to wonder what's going on when you're working in/around their enclosures. Unless you smell like mouse, or are dumb enough to stick your hand in beside their prey (ie: me) then you'll be fine.

:)