Artemis goes colubrid!

[Artemis]

Well, a pretty corn is on my list of things to get this weekend. My 5 year old daughter wants a snake of her OWN for her birthday ( mommy has the python already) and I wanted to try my hand at a corn anyways, so this one will be "her" snake.

I am really in love with vivid colors, so Amels, Sunglows, Okeetees and similar morphs are what I will be scoping out.

My python is flourishing, and I know the basic care requirements for the corn, but id love any tips for a first-time corn-er.

Also, is it true the babies tend to be really bitey? Should I get a hatchling or opt for a yearling instead?


Thanks all-

Artemis

[vanderkm]

Baby corns aren't always bitey - in fact most of ours have never bitten. I like corn babies because they really tend to wrap around your hand and twine in your fingers - it is our milks and cal kings that are so hyper and will bite if restrained. Baby corns may strike if you back them into a corner, but it is almost always just a strike - they hit your hand with their head - don't actually bite it.

They are active - tend to cruise and can be very fast - over the edge and out of sight before you know it. 'Confined and contained' or something like that is what Mark Isbell is always saying - never more true than with baby corns - don't take your eyes off them or put them down or they will be gone. They can also squeeze out of the smallest spaces in a cage - rubbermaids with very well sealed tops are best - and make sure they really close every time.

This time of year is a good one because some people will have July hatchlings left and if they were well fed they will be quite a bit bigger and better established than fall hatchlings - great choice to give you a bit more size than a baby but still have the fun of watching it grow up.

The color varieties are amazing and they develop so much color as they mature. I am sure you (and your daughter) will love them. Biggest danger is how addictive they are.

mary v.

[joey]

Very true about baby corns being fast! I have an adult and three babies The adult has mellowed out a bit but still is always on the move. Not like my bp or bci. The babies are super-fast and one is very sneaky. He will move a bit then slow down like he's going to stay still and the then zzzzzzip so fast to ttry to get away. Corns are fun though and beautiful. They also tend to hide alot and are nocturnal so you don't really get to see them a whole bunch.

good luck!

[hooter]

My baby Corns dont bite. GL

[joey]

none of mine have ever bitten me or ever tried to bite either.

[Simon]

lol~
some of mine bites
hahha
but a good portion of them don't

they're great starter snakes and I think one of the prettiest snakes out there

nothing beats corns

but like mary said right now its a good time to get some nice hatchilngs~~

[gonesnakee]

"Controlled & Contained" LOL is what I'm always saying for any animal or even children LOL. A cornsnake is a perfect starter snake. If you have ever played with a Kitten it will hurt you worse than any Cornsnake ever will. Baby Corns rarely bite & if they do they very rarely even break the skin. I let snakes bite me all the time just to show kids not to be scared & even offer for them to be bitten just to show them it doesn't hurt & can't harm them. Baby LTRs are good for these demonstrations. The only advantage of a yearling over a baby is that they are less squirmy & more manable for a younger child as they are easier to "Control & Contain" as they are bigger & more used to interaction by then, whereas a baby corn can be quite squirmy & very flightly still. Mark

[Linds]

LOL just like me. Colubrids didn't interest me for ages, then finally I got in to them... a little bit anyways :p I also like the really vibrant coloured ones, so I was thrilled when a perfect little amel fell in my lap :p She seriously makes me smile everytime I go in the room. She's always right there to greet me with her mischeivous little face. I've never been bitten by any of the corns at my old job, or my own, but do know people that have some biters. I find them doing the rattlesnake imitation more often... way too cute :p

[russell]

iv found that the baby corns i get are not in any way 'bitey', but they do get a bit moody when they get to about 9month to a year, but regular handling will stop the agressive behaviour.