Reptile & Amphibian Forums

If my corn snake's tail is rattling everytime I touch him. How do I go about handling him without him biting? I don't mind getting bit by a corn snake, but the thing is, I don't want him to be agressive, especially since he was a real laid back snake at the show. I gave him a week to acclimate,then I fed him, and I'm going to leave him alone until he digests his rat, but tommorow will be 48 hours after he ate.
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- Shaun
1.1 Ball Pythons
1.0 Corn Snake
2.0 Dogs

The thing about reptile shows.....
temperments of any cold blooded animal is hard to judge. The animals are not heated on those tables, most of the time. So, they cool down and become less fidgetty, more calm. I got a tegu and a savanna monitor at a show. Very well behaved, let me hold them, whatever. Get them home and warm them up, turned into evil little hissing, biting, tail lashing monsters. LOL.

If it is a baby, tail rattling is normal. Handle it and it will get used to be touched, picked up. If it is an adult, or sub adult, it might just need to get used to you or that might be the snake's temperment.

Good luck
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****Misty****

www.sneakyserpents.com

"Yesterday was the deadline for all complaints"

Not counting Hatchlings, this is what I have.........

1.1.2 bearded dragons
8.16.0 corn snakes
1.1.0 jungle corns
1.2.0 California King
1.0.0 Mexican Black king
0.1.0 Blotched king
0.1.0 Lavender Brooksi king
1.0.0 Sinaloan milk snake
0.1.0 Tri-Hybrid milk snake
1.1.0 Arizona mountain king
0.1.0 Congo African Grey Parrot
0.1.0 German Shepherd (hybrid) dog

Agree, Misty.

Being bit was never much of an issue to me. Some snakes never calm down. But handle them with confidence. And try to see what you do that might pith him off and not do it.

We had a 10' burm at our shop. Would strike at anything, but it was usually just thinking of food. If I held him in the 2' range behinnd his head, and then the rest of his body, he was ok. let him get 4' away, and he freaked. I have no idea why. I've never had another snake do that.

Point is be aware. Watch how the snake reacts to what you are doing, where you touch it, and where you pick it up from.

Must people with some experience, just do it without thinking about it. Most all regulars in here I'm sure do it at some level.

New people tend to focus on the snakes head, and not what the rest of the snake is doing, or what they are doing.

I hope something in there helps? lol
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Big Tom

www.herpzilla.com

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Big Tom

www.herpzilla.com

This might be a VERY stupid question but, would they back up in the "S" position before they bite, like other snakes? I'm asking this because I heard that some colubrids would just go for it, without warning you.
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- Shaun
1.1 Ball Pythons
1.0 Corn Snake
2.0 Dogs

I've been bit with very little warning. And I have a bloodred that lives in the "s" position.

Usually you can tell when they are unhappy with a little handling experience. Unlike king snakes that might turn, bite and try to continue to eat your hand.

Corns are usually very good. Even if a spaztic one is in your hands, they calm down most of the times. At least in my experience.

Things "I THINK" add to a snakes % to bite.

Temps to high.
You smell like mice.
You go to pick them up in front of their head.
etc.

If he's a biggen, move in with a piece of paper or cardboard. Cover his head, and pick him up. But NEVER bite him back.
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Big Tom

www.herpzilla.com

I think that if I just pick him up, and handle him for a bit, he will know I'm ok. If he rattles, do I leave him alone, or do I still go for it?
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- Shaun
1.1 Ball Pythons
1.0 Corn Snake
2.0 Dogs

Maybe I missed it, how big is he?
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Big Tom

www.herpzilla.com

He is an adult. Around 3 1/2 feet.
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- Shaun
1.1 Ball Pythons
1.0 Corn Snake
2.0 Dogs

Well, some handling will not hurt. As long as it is not totally freaking him out. Usually after you get them in your hands a few minutes they calm down some. just keep away from the front of his head, so he has no reason to suddenly strike. And find how he feels comfortable. He maybe far more comfortable laying on your arm,, than in your hands. Snakes are not held, nor picked up in the wild. If they are, it is a human, or something trying to eat it.

Also do not handle outside. Sunlight really cranks up herps.

Good luck
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Big Tom

www.herpzilla.com

first let me say it sounds like you tried to pick him up when he was in feeding mode. a lot of snakes act aggressive at this time they are vulnerable when their mouths are full.

here is my theory though:
if a reptile displays a specific behavior like tail rattling or "s" shaping up and it is in a defensive manner, and you DONT pick it up you are just reinforcing that behavior, you are doing exactly what the animal wants you to do (which is not pick him up)
so every time an animal of mine gets defensive i always pick it up. if it bites so what it doesnt hurt just dont pull back.
eventually it will learn not to get defensive because it knows it wont change your mind.

now the disclaimer:
i know i said it does not hurt this is my opinion, it depends on the animal in YOUR hand, some bigger animals do hurt when they bite some dont it also depends on your tolerance to pain. i did have a honduran that not only would bite but then start to chew and if he got you on lets say a nuckle(close to bone) it hurt so be cautious and use common sense
adam
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hybrid breeders association
0.0.32 baby corns
2 leo eggs-due sept
0.1. normal corn het hypo,anery
1.0. snow corn het hypo,anery,amel
1.0. amel corn unknown hets(4ft 8inch long)
1.0 sinacorn
1.1 kenyan sand boas
0.1 mbk
0.1 albino nelsons
0.2 normal leo geckos
1.0 blizzard leo gecko
0.0.1 3 lined mud turtle

I guess I'll go a long with that. And your right, depends on what you are handling. BUT, I had a 30" MAX ball python. He ate like a blood python. I opened his tub one day and he sprang out and bit me in my shoulder, and constricted me. Handling him, he was fine. It took 20 minutes to get him off, as I had no alcohol. I have a pic, but no one wants to see my nekkit shoulder. The bruise got to the size of a grapefruit.

I gave all my BP's away. A friend has him now, but I hear about each time he eats. I think he has a Napoleon complex?
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Big Tom

www.herpzilla.com

Wow what a strong feeding responce! lol.
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- Shaun
1.1 Ball Pythons
1.0 Corn Snake
2.0 Dogs

OK, I cropped it a bit.

that was shortly after it bit me.

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Big Tom

www.herpzilla.com

That is my chest and arm.

HONEST.
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Big Tom

www.herpzilla.com

Um, OK if you say so!!!!!!LOL

Pat

anyone notice i love to joke? but that pic is real.
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Big Tom

www.herpzilla.com

Snakes are just like people, good days and bad days. I've had a lot of colubrids vibrate their tail at me, the chances of being bitten are really dependent on if you leave them alone at that point or not. Also, are you feeding live or prekilled items?
Link

I fed him a F/T rat on Saturday.
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- Shaun
1.1 Ball Pythons
1.0 Corn Snake
2.0 Dogs