Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a longstanding but complex relationship with the local Natural History Museum which runs a small petting corner that includes some snakes, many of which I've given them. Recently, a situation developed (long story) where I gave them a snake in return for others they gave me. The snake I gave them was a female Miami(milk-snake phase) cornsnake. Today I get a call telling me that they can't use the snake as it's aggressive and has even bitten one of the Museum's staff. Could I possibly take it back and give them a more suitable (i.e. adult, tame) specimen? Indeed, I have one option available to me: taking back the female Miami and giving them my breeder male (normal).
Pluses: I get a female for a male(of which I have too many); I get a "fancy" normal instead of a normal normal; I keep the Museum happy and help expose kids to herpetology. Negatives: The male normal is the only breeder I have who was born to me; I never "connected" with the Miami; and would be left without a normal looking normal corn. Note: I do have two normal (actually het albino) babies from that normal sire who will grow up one day becoming male normal breeders. Finally, I too bring my snakes to kindergartens etc. where I would prefer a calm snake to a nervous one (though I remember the Miami being docile enough; and handled her with kids in the past).
Bottom line: should I trade my male normal corn to the Museum for the female Miami, or leave things as they are?
Please advise, as you can tell from the garrelous note, I'm a bit torn over this.
Thanx,
Reuben

>>That is a tough one to answer. It really depends on which one you would prefer to keep. If the Normal means more to you then the Miami then let them keep the Miami. I don't understand the problem with an aggressive corn in a museum type setting. Unless this is a hands on museum. As far as the employee getting a bite...well, you would think they would know what they are doing and thoruoghly understand the defensive reaction of a snake.
Take into consideration which morph you personaly prefer, any future breeding projects and how each would affect them and which would fit into your uses as show animals.
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Remember, my posts are MY opinion only.
Jimmy (draybar)

Thanks for the quick answer.
The snakes are used in a hands on situation, so I'm sympathetic to the museum's concerns. As far as breeding projects go, the normal male is sort of an odd wheel out this coming year and the Miami female would be a much better option. Rationale would point to making the trade; it's the emotional side here that makes me hesitate and made my wife respond: "What're you crazy?"

>>Thanks for the quick answer.
>>The snakes are used in a hands on situation, so I'm sympathetic to the museum's concerns. As far as breeding projects go, the normal male is sort of an odd wheel out this coming year and the Miami female would be a much better option. Rationale would point to making the trade; it's the emotional side here that makes me hesitate and made my wife respond: "What're you crazy?"

If they are using the animal for hands on then maybe you should trade.
Do you have any other snakes you could use for YOUR presentations until you get the Miami calmed down.
Some snakes can stay rather nippy but if it was a calm snake at one time I don't see any reason why you couldn't calm it back down with a little time and proper handling.
I was also curious about their feeding schedule. Some snakes will tend to be a bit more aggresive when hungry. Are they feeding it as regularily as you did?
One good thing, if you make the trade, you will still be able to check on the normal to see how it is doing.
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Remember, my posts are MY opinion only.
Jimmy (draybar)

>>Take into consideration which morph you personaly prefer, any future breeding projects and how each would affect them and which would fit into your uses as show animals.

Forget which morph is which morph. Why not keep the one that you ENJOY having more as a pet? The Museum should know that they need to handle the corn to calm it down and that a bite won't kill their staff. Tell them that it is the only one you've got that you can get rid of. Heck, offer to take it from them and keep it until it calms down some ...and then return it or give them another "normal" corn when you get an extra (like one of the het albino ones you are raising up).

I just hope you don't trade off the adult you raised up yourself and regret it for a long time once it is done.
KJ

I have to agree with KJUN. At the moment I have a 31/2 year old amel in my herp room who's purpose is to eat f/t rats and make me smile. She was the first to hatch in my very first corn snake clutch. I know that I'd regret giving her away "just because". I may or may not breed her in the future, but I'll never have another first corn hatchling--she's special.

I think it is very generous of you to donate snakes to this museum (I tend to donate them to elementary school classrooms). If they don't wish to keep the corn you've given them, fine. That is their choice. Let them return it to you. As a former employee of a children's science museum, I wouldn't use a nervous animal in hands-on situations. And, sometimes there's a policy that if an animal bites even once, it cannot be used. Yet, I certainly wouldn't expect the person who donated the animal to replace it unless he could without hardship or heartache. Just my opinion. . .
Regards,
althea

taking the "aggresive" Miami, and LOANING them your calm adult. When you have raised a suitable baby to a size large enough for handling, then give it to them and get your adult back. That is, if you trust they will properly take care of your adult during that time. If you go this route, get it on paper. By the time you want your adult back, there may be a new person in charge who may not know the terms of the agreement.

Good luck!

I like Kathy's solution.

Another point you should probably consider, as the possible result of telling them that they've got they Miami, and that's the end of it, is your future relationship with the museum. If you do "stick" them with an animal that they're unhappy about, it could certainly be detrimental to any dealings you may hope to have with them in the future.

If you've no intention of ever getting into a similar deal with them again, then telling them to "Go to H-!!" will make no difference. But, if you may wish to deal with them again, and regret having done so, then you'd be much better off to try appeasing them now.
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tricia

You could just tell them that you don't have anything that you can give them now. Take back the Miami, and give them something more suitable when you can. It's not like they absolutely NEED a Corn right away, is it?