Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi I have just got a amur ratsnake yesterday, I have no real snake exprience but have done lots of reading in the last 24 hrs. In the shop I held the snake and he was lively but friendly, as advised I left him to settle into his new home for 24 hrs undisturbed, the problem is he rattles his tail on the side of the container when I try to get him out and if I take him out he constantly trys to get away, and twice today has opened his mouth wide at me as if to bite.
Is he going to bite me and does it hurt? his head is about the same size as my little finger and he is about 18" long so far when he threatens me I have put him back in his container but if I keep doing this will he learn thats what to do to be left alone. But should I let him bite mer and how much will it hurt?
Regards maki

It won't hurt. He should grow out of that phase with regular handling.

Hi ive got a corn snake but ive heard there the same so anyway i got my corn snake when it was young too but it has never bitten me.
Ive read that when they are young they tend to bite because they do not know you. I suggest that you leave the snake in its tank for a few days and then try and handle it, itll get used to you aventually. Also my snake usually rattles its tail when it feels threatened by other people trying to get it out of its tank, my dad did that. Anyway dont let anyone else handle it for about 2weeks it needs to get used to you first before any1 else so it can trust ppl. I dont think it hurts that much wen they bite u but i dont no.
Hope i have helped and good luck, Jess

Hi there,

I’m new to corn snakes too and having the same sort of problem as you. I’ve been told it can take a few weeks for him to get used to you. The advise I have been given is to leave him be for a few days while he gets used to his new home and used to seeing you. Feed as per normal and change his water on a daily basis. When you have the tank open try leaving your hand in the tank near him but don’t move it or waggle your fingers. You should see him flicking his tounge out to smell you and I’ve been told after awhile he will come over to your hand on his own.

Corns don’t have fangs but they do have tiny sharp teeth. If he does bite which is very unlikely it would not really hurt much, might be like pricking your finger on a sewing needle. Never pull a snake off it does bite as you will damage his teeth and gums by doing so and could end up with an expensive vet’s bill.

Other advise I’ve been told is to wash your hands before and after picking him up. Best time to handle a corn snake is in the evening when they are active around the Viv. Be gentle when holding him and always make sure he wraps around your fingers. Keep one hand in front of him at all times as they are always on the move when being handled so use your hands like a kind of treadmill.

Don't worry! He'll settle down right quick with some time to settle and devoted care. All the little cornsnakes I had all came snipping and rattling their little tails. It just takes some patience, and don't worry, he'll settle down and become a pretty good snake.

i have had several Rat snakes and no the bite is not sore at all - some stike at u without biting and just tap u - well if u flick urself with ur finger that is about twice as had as a snake tap -- those that do bite hardly break the skin and is kinda like being hit with a piece of velcro (the rip and tear stuff) all u have to do is get over the fear of it all but as it is a snake that is difficult to do.

one way of calming them down is to lower the temperature of the vavarium to the lower end of what the need - they are far more agile and agressive at high temperatures

either way the more u handle it the moe docile it should become

Regards
Lynx