My corn that we raised from a hatchingly has just now started "rattling" her tail when she's not happy with something. The amazing thing is that this is the 1st I've ever seen of this behavior. She has also become more anti-social over the last few months (not wanting to come out of her cage in the evenings). When she was younger she seemed to really enjoy people, but now she's rattling when I go in to pick her up. She isn't acting agressive in any other way, but I haven't seen this kind of behavior before. I didn't realize Corns mimicked kings/rattlers with their tails. Is this normal stuff? She just turned 2 years old in August. We only handle her 2-3 times a week. she has the proper heat gradients/humidity, but her tank is a little small for her. We're purchasing a new one this weekend.
Thanks for your help in advance!
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Corn rattling??
Replies (11)
maybe your startleing her, my corns rattle when you suprise them or they are truly scared.
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jake barney
my addiction:
1.1 ball pythons
0.2.1 corns
1.0 cal king
0.0.1 wc garter
I have a three year old female that "rattles" her tale only on a couple of situations: If she just ate or food is around, if she is in shed, or if she is startled. Never has she tried to strike once she senses me.
Ooooops! I meant tail.
Thanks for all the info! Maybe I surprised her. I always move really slow when I'm handeling her and I'm gentel with her. . .maybe she's having PMS, LOL. I'll be even more careful with her.
OK, this Is In My Humble Opinion.
Snakes, lizards and many animals do not "enjoy" being handled. They tolerate it. The only time a snake gets picked up in the wild is to be eaten. OK, why or how does this relate? Snakes and many critters go though seasonal changes and changes due to age. Maybe a female snake is more protective of her self because she can reproduce and instinct tells her to reproduce? (Just a guess) But who can really know.
I said all that because you used the words your snake was more anti social. I'm not sure exactly how you meant it, "I" do not believe a snake has the capacity to make a social decision. Maybe recognize your smell, and relate it to being safe, or better, relate it to a non negative period.
My personal "guess" why a snake might get less tolerant of handling at this time of year as they are predisposed to start brumation. Activity violates the instinctive need to conserve energy.
I've had snakes, and a lot of lizards over the years that change moods. If I thought seasonal, I leave them alone. I do not want to aggravate a herp I want to be handling a lot. And never force the issue.
I once had a 3' Cayman. And was super nice. The only reason I got it. One summer I made a pond area in my yard for him. After that he was very aggressive. Unlike my Cayman, I think your snake will return to a better temperament when he wants to. Probably mid winter or spring. IMHO
Good luck
Now time for dinner
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Thanks for reading.
Big Tom
was bat dead or alive.?....
dead?..shame on you.....
alive? good.....let them go before you get fleas.....LOL...
........finnaly a guy that is built more like me.......not some 12 year old know it all that read his second book on snakes?????????????????
hahahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
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.have fun.......Big Boy
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sell them all............
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Thanks for reading.
Big Tom
most people won't handle a live bat......really I don't much either.....grab and go outside.....they get me at work alot when they find them........them and any other live thing they are scared of.......the 4 foot black rat the other year you would have thought was 400 pounds and 20 feet long.......
..........Thanxx.........bats need all the help they can get.........
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sell them all............
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The kid that worked at our shop also worked at teh cleveland zoo. Somehow he smoozed a pair of fruit bats out. Somewhere I have a picture of my 8 year old daughter holding it. It was like a flying quinea pig.
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Thanks for reading.
Big Tom
cool.............bats are now not allowed to be sold I think?......years ago they had Egyptian fruit bats at a show here.I thought they were babies and grew huge......sad thing was they were adults.....maybe 250? $ I forget.......I wish I would have gotten some but really is a hard wierd pet to keep.....
......the only guy I knew that did get a pair got babies and they always died......I guess old fruit fly infested apples and other fruits aren't what fruit bats really need......and maybe a little cleaning would have helped.......sad......
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sell them all............
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I also have a previously lovey female who started rattling her tail at around 2 years old. I battled for a while over whether this meant I needed to pursue handling her and setting the standard that she could not ALWAYS get her way, or if this was a serious sign to back off. If I persisted, she would continue rattling. I would stop handling her if she rattled and she began rattling with every attempt. My roommate suggested using a snake hook - no herp background, he just figured it was a shot. She never rattles when I pick her up with the hook. If I go in by hand, she rattles. Maybe it is her perception of what is happening based on the size, texture or whatever of my hand and arm. Don't know, but try a snake hook.
