Couple Questions..

[oxfordpaintball]

Hey.. I've been really thinking about getting a Cornsnake.. probably a bloodred or Sunglow.. I have read about 50-100 caresheets and a large amount of the threads on these forums.. however i can't find the following information:

What is a cornsnakes termperment like?
What are the chances of getting bit it?
How severe/painful would a cornsnake bit be and what would you do if you were bit?



thanks

[Auskan]

Cornsnakes have easy temperaments. They really aren't aggressive snakes at all. The babies can be very shy and skittish about handling but if you handle regularly (10-15 minutes or so a few times a week), as they grow they gain more confidence and relax about being handled. I read once that cornsnakes are like cats in that each one has its own individual personality and there is something to that. I have a few and they do all have their own quirks. Chances of getting bitten are very slight - they are really not biters. If you do get bitten, you'll have to be watching to know it. Some people have likened it to being scratched by velcro. I've actually never been bitten by a cornsnake, but my ribbon snake, which is only slightly bigger than my corns, bit me multiple times last weekend (long story that I won't go into) and it is true that if I hadn't seen him do it, I wouldn't have even felt it. I'm guessing that a cornsnake bite would be similar.

[UpscaleBoas]

What is a cornsnakes termperment like? docile
What are the chances of getting bit it? fair
How severe/painful would a cornsnake bit be and what would you do if you were bit? pain is slight...it hurts the way some misqito bites do/and the pain last as long...best part no itching...
If you get bit...check to make sure the snake is alright...its rare but if you jerked away to hard it is possible to rip out a tooth or two..if so keep an eye on your little friend to make sure no infection develops...as for yourself...wash the bite mark....truthfully by the time you get to the sink you won't feel anymore pain...

Corn snakes in my oppinion are the greatest starter snake.

[WingedWolf]

Yeah, with any reptile, your chances of getting bit...at LEAST once...are probably 90%. Unless you dodge really fast, or NEVER handle them. ;)

Ask the same question of a cat owner--what are your chances of being bitten by a cat? Probably about the same--they're going to bite you some day, at least once, even if it's only in play. :)

[Invictus]

I only have one corn that has ever bitten, and I had the smell of mouse on me at the time.

Corns are VERY docile, though any snake can bite. If you're careful, handle gently, and follow the rules of handling (ie, don't have the smell of mouse on you! lol), you could easily go your whole life without being bitten - but of course, it's not a guarantee. Corn bites are not bad at all... they startle more than they hurt.

I concur with UpscaleBoas in that corns are the best starter snake on earth.

[MouseKilla]

I would actually take the cat analogy a step further and say you are in fact about twice as likely to be bitten by your average pet cat and about 1000 times more likely to be scratched by your cat than bitten by your average corn snake.

I'm not sure why snakes (especially when talking about corns, kings are a different story) have a reputation for biting, I've heard theories that humans have evolved to naturally fear all snakes because some are venomous.

Corn snakes nearly never bite and when they do it's almost always because you smell like food, the rest of the time it's because you've frightened them and they are striking defensively, it's never random or unprovoked.

You are unlikely to feel a corn snake bite so the only thing you have to worry about is seeing it happen and reacting by chucking the poor little guy across the room.

Keep reading and asking questions, get your eclosure set up properly and then pick the snake you want. Then make room in your place for more, one is never enough.

[oxfordpaintball]

thanks for all your help everyone.. Unfortunately my girlfriend wont allow me to have snakes in the house so for now i'm going to have to enjoy them without owning one until we move to a house in which i can have a sealed reptile room

[MouseKilla]

Maybe what you need is a sealed girlfriend room. lol!

Only joking man, it's wrong to keep girlfriends locked in a room... I'm told.

[oxfordpaintball]

haha... I ran that idea by her too and she wasn't all too excited about that one..

Eventually i'll convince her to let me get one.. and it will either be a Sunglow or a Banded

[aNi-DiFrAnCo]

Sunglows are the best IMO cause that is what I have so naturally I am biased :D