Scared of my corn

Wizwise2000 · 03-14-04, 08:21 PM

On March 9th I didn't have any fuzzies so I decided I would give me 18 inch amel a hopper and see if he'd eat it, so he did. Well tonight I went to pick him up and he looked like he was going to strike (the raised S shape look). So I paid some close attention and he was still (slightly) bulged. So I'm assuming that he was just ticked that he has not yet digested the large meal. Am I right to assume this, or is there another reason why he's miserable? Temps are all normal, he shed a week ago, can't think of anything else but the above.

Is it normal for snakes to keep their eyes on your hand?
What I mean is when you put your hand in, and choose to pick them up at a different point, do theirs head and some of their body turn to face your hand? Or does my corn just not trust me yet?

Thanks everyone

Shane

marisa · 03-14-04, 08:28 PM

He really won't ever "trust" you, but mearly tolerate you especially in the first year. They are mostly all jumpy, some calm down fast, others take time.

Marisa

sapphire_moon · 03-14-04, 08:35 PM

ya, my corn is like that, but you kinda just got to plunge in and grab her. The only time I don't do that is when it is feeding time. Corn or not, I still don't want to get tagged. And when it is feed time, she has no problem about getting all defensive. My BP's and w.hognose don't do this. She is the only one. She is about 7-8months old (maybe a little older).
Every time I reach in there she does the "S" strike pose. Sometimes she will even follow my hand. But usually (unless she feels it's time to eat) she will just sit in that position until I pick her up.

HeatherK · 03-14-04, 09:15 PM

At that age I would say it's perfectly normal, they really are sensitive to potential threats, as in the wild, they would have many. Your hand coming down into the tank can imitate prey coming from above (large birds). Baby corns are just 'wired' to be wary of things that could eat them.

What I've always done (unless I really needed to take the snake out of it's enclosure) is let it start to come out on it's own rather than reaching in and grabbing it. It can simply slide onto your hand this way. If you're nervous, this might be a good idea.. also helps with the trust issue (you're there and it's not so nervous of ya). Alternatively, especially if it doesn't want to come out.. approach it from a low angle and let your hand stay a certain distance away, keeping it still.. until you can see that the snake's defenses and/or signs of stress (watch the breathing..) have gone down and it knows better what you are

I'm not a big fan of uncovering them from their hides or picking up the hides with the occupant still inside as a way to get them out, but that does work as well. Ultimately you want it to get used to your hand coming into the tank to take it out, or to change water, etc. Shouldn't take long.. and they will usually outgrow a lot of the nervousness as they get bigger.

MouseKilla · 03-15-04, 11:17 PM

I've found that the best time to take a corn out is when it is in it's hide, they seem to kind of freeze and hold still hoping not to be noticed. I just take the hide off and get it out of the way then I get my hand level with the bottom of the container but at the opposite end so my hand isn't coming down on top of the snake. That's obviously the worst thing you can do, come straight down in a fast, jerky motion. You just want to slowly but deliberately scoop them up in a smooth motion. If you flinch then you'll scare the little guy and he'll wiggle like an eel or get all twitchy on you like you described.