Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My corn doesn't like to be handled because when she tries to crawl around my hands, she sticks to my skin and it's uncomfortable for both of us. Does anyone else have this problem? Should I use scentless lotion before I handle her, or is that a health hazard for her? I've even tried rubbing her bark substrate on my hands, but it doesn't work. Any help would be much appreciated, because I love handling her but I don't want her to be uncomfortable! Thanks!
- April

Oh deffinitely wash your hands before handling your snake if you use alot of lotions, especially with perfumes. These may irritate your snake's skin. It is often recommended to wash your hands before and after handling snakes and other reptiles.

I don't use any lotions; I just don't know how to make my hands easier for her to move on. Wet them with water? The soap I use (Lever2000) seems to make my hands drier/harder for her to move on. Any suggestions?

I've always found that if your hands are sweaty or wet they don't like to be handled. If your hands are dry, there should be no problem.

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alstiver@hotmail.com

1.0 2001 Hypo snow cornsnake
0.1 2002 Pastel Ghost cornsnake
1.1 2002 Bloodred cornsnakes
0.1 1998 Het Hypo, Het Caramel cornsnake
1.0 2000 Hypo Het Caramel cornsnake

I have a similar problem. My skin is too soft, so my poor corn sticks to me and spazzes out. It also doesn't help that I have very shaky hands. The best I can do is just sit on the couch or bed and put my hands down on the fabric. That way I can sort of pick her up with the back of my hands (which she doesn't stick to) so she can still get used to handling. I'm hoping she'll eventually calm down enough that she won't mind as much.

Thank you!!! I'll try picking her up that way!
- April

is it a snow?

Actually she's an Opal, the flash on this camera tends to wash out the colours. She's got shades of pink and orange, and the white is fairly iridescent. Darn cameras...

an older pic
image gallery

Hi there

Just thought I'd add my bit - I have a sweaty hand problem (nice!) which our snake HATES - my solution is to wear very thin gloves (cotton Victorian lady type things). Just a thought!

Theresa