Reptile & Amphibian Forums

We have a 3yr. old male corn, who up untill recently has been my most favorite pet to date! The first time he bit my 8yr old, I have a feeling he was hungry, and saw her little pink finger as a meal being delivered! The second time, was on the day we moved, she was going to take him out to show the movers. Both times he broke the skin, the second time he didn't want to let go! VERY upsetting to her!Please tell me he was just stressed, and is not becoming a biter! Now that he has tasted warm blood, he isn't going to continue to bite, is he?

I would say he was stressed,especially the second time. Being brought out to show strangers during the turmoil of a move (even if he hasn't been moved yet, the vibrations though the floor from all the coming and going would be enough).

Has he been handled by your little girl before? She may be doing something he doesn't like...holding to tight or too close to his head? Was she playing with mice or rats (if you keep live rodents that is) before holding the snake?

It could have something do to with the way he is fed. Do you feed in a seperate container? Snakes fed in the container will sometimes think anything coming in at them is food. I have a rat snake who recently became very confused and starting biting, but he's turning around now.
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Peter: It's OK, I'll handle it. I read a book about something like this.
Brian: Are you sure it was a book? Are you sure it wasn't NOTHING?

Thanks for all your ideas! It was probably a combination of all the above! My daughter does tend to reach in and grab, and I've cautioned her many times about grabbing towards his head so fast. But up untill now he has been so tolerant, and a real sweety!( She'd sit and watch T.V. in the evening with him coiled around her in her pajamas!)Do you think we can get our old, layed-back snake back or have we ruined him for life? Would it be a good idea to start feeding him in a seperate container at this point, or will he be upset by that? I used to always take him out and hold him for a while prior to putting him back and feeding him,so when his habitat was unzipped, he'd automatically come out! I have to admit, I'm a bit freaked by the whole episode!

Corns don't usually bite. That's one of the reasons they're a good choice for a first snake. The reason he is biting may be due to rodent odor on the hands, restricted movement meaning she is stopping him from going where he wants to. Also, have you reduced the handling or opening of his cage to just feeding time? If so, you need to handle him more often and put him back in without feeding. They do learn that when the cage is opened, food is coming.
John Q

This is why I have always and will always feed my snakes in seperate containers.
I know there are people out there who argue they have fed their snakes in the same enclosure without any accidental bites. But I have heard of too many snakes bite on accident because they were hungry and someone reached in the cage to pick them up. Over time animals become conditioned and then it comes "natural" to strike at whatever comes into the cage, and then ask for forgiveness later.
Just my $.02
Brian

With you moving and the light cycles changing more everyday im just going to assume he is a little grumpy.All my snakes get a little grumpy in the late fall and soon they will eat less or switch to smaller size prey.At least a corn isnt going to mame you too bad.I would keep him away from my face and wear glasses while holding him.Besides even if you do get bit good, chicks dig scars.....Paul.

n/p

My husband won't be happy if this scar starts attracting a bunch of chicks... unless they're the sort we can feed to snakes! cheep cheep cheep....

(my aforementioned asian ratsnake gave me a tiny tiny almost invisible scar- will probably fade out eventually. he was trying to eat my wrist for several minutes and has longer teeth for his size than american rats and corns)
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Peter: It's OK, I'll handle it. I read a book about something like this.
Brian: Are you sure it was a book? Are you sure it wasn't NOTHING?