Reptile & Amphibian Forums

How docile are corns? I've heard some are and some arent. Do you worry about getting bitten on a daily basis, or do they ever bite? Does it hurt if they bite? Also, how much do you handle them? Do they mind being handled? Do they hide all day? Are they a timid animal who scares easily? Thanks for your help.

Well, I may just be a bit bias but I don’t feel that a corn snake bite is much of anything to worry about. I also work with Boa Constrictors and even a 3 month old Boa’s bite is more then a full grown adult corn snake. Captive born Corn Snakes are about as docile of a snake as there is. My hatchlings will strike in a defensive manner but the quickly out grow it and when they are that young the don’t have the ability to open their mouth wide enough to really get a bite. I have been bit by a few wild caught corns and their bite is very mild, hardly breaking the skin. I removed one corn snake from an older woman’s house as it bit onto my finger and would not let go, so I carried it out hanging from my finger. It did not hurt but the woman was sure I was going to die from the bite LOL! The strike is more startling then the bite hurts, sometimes they just take you by surprise.
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Jim Hopkins "Hoppy"
Hopkins Holesale Herps
Hopfam1@aol.com

The vast majority of corn snakes are very tame and tolerate daily handling. Corns are the most popular pet snake because of this fact. Keep in mind that snakes in general shouldn't be handled after they've eaten and don't like to be bothered when going through a shed cycle.

Tim

Third Eye

>>That is one beautiful corn snake.
Love it !
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Remember, My posts are MY opinion only!
Jimmy (draybar)

you considering getting a corn ew?....I myself have been thinking about it....I have an extra setup and i cant decide weather i just want another leo....or I want to try my hand at a corn snake.

Yeah, i am considering a corn. I've always wanted one but just never had the opportunity to buy one. I have the opportunity now, but i'm doing some research and making sure i'm not gonna get in over my head. I'm just like you though, i keep adding leos to the family, lol. Its hard to stop at just 2 or 3. Just bought my fourth in the last year last week. If you do splurge and buy a corn, let me know how it goes. Good luck in your decision.

Hi, I have 2 corns. One is a ghost and one an amel. Both are yearlings. Mine are very docile and don't mind being handled. When they were babies, about the size of a pencil, they did hide alot. As they got bigger they would come out more often. Mostly at dusk. My amel used to 'taste' my hand when she was hungry. She didn't bite but would just open her mouth and taste my fingers. She doesn't do that any more.

Most corns are very docile but I'm sure there are some that aren't. They are a very good beginner snake. I'm glad I started with a corn. Hope you enjoy yours if you get one. If there is a reptile show/expo in your area sometime...GO. You will see all kinds of snakes and reptiles. Also don't buy one on impulse. Do your homework before you buy. You will be glad you did. :0)

Corns and some of the other North American Ratsnakes are great pets and perfect beginner snakes. I have four corns and five "other" ratsnakes, and the only one to ever bite me was my Texas Rat. Even that snake does not bite anymore. If they bite when they are small, it does not hurt at all (it may startle you, however). By the time they are bigger, most of the ratsnakes will have tamed. Of course, any snake may strike and bite unexpectedly...But if one of mine bit me, I would be genuinely surprised. Duffy