Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was feeding my normal male adult corn today and had an accident. He ate two mice two weeks ago and didn't eat last week, so I figured he'd be hungry. Well, I opened the container he's in and he snapped at me, confirming my suspicion about him wanting food. When I went to put the mouse in his cage, however, the *$%@ hit the fan, so to speak.

The corn was on the far side of the tank, so I thought I was safe and went to drop his lunch in to him. Before I could let go of the mouse, though, the snake lunged across the entire length of the cage and latched onto my thumb. It felt like a small vice with teeth clamping down. Then, it proceded to constrict my wrist. To make a long story short, I took it to the bathroom and ran warm water over it to get the thing off me. Now my thumb hurts like crap and m y wrist is sore, and I have a new found respect for these "tame" animals.

Just thought I'd share that.

Dave.

WOW...just goes to show a 'domestic' wild animal still has it's wild instincts. I'm wondering though..is the only time you do anything with him is to feed him? Could be he expects food everytime the lid is opened.
I'm hoping I don't get bit like that with my corns, milk or carpet python. Wish me luck.

Freaks the livin crap right outta ya doesnt it.Did you hurt your wrist from jerking away or screaming and flailing your arms around?I have a hypo with good/bad feeding response and I mist her with water before I open her screen.If I dont she will fly outa her tank at a rat pup.It's my fault Ive never been able to handle her without being nipped/tasted or her squirming herself to death.She has cured my desire to own a mamba...Paul
By the way I still freak out when I get bit even when I know it's going to happen.hehehehe

Interesting enough, I didn't freak out. This was the first time I've been bitten from one of my captive snakes ( with 4 years of keeping captive snakes). The corn latched on, and I went completely still. I tried to pull my thumb out of his mouth after a minute or two, but he was clamped down too tightly. After that, I kinda strolled to the bathroom to run water over it. I tell ya, it freaked my roommate out more than it did me, I think. That might come from dealing with wild black rats and black racers, which are both much more violent in temperament than even the most nasty corn snake. To be honest, I was proud of myself. I did curse a lot, but I didn't go completely nuts like I thought I would if something like this were to happen... lol.

As far as handling the snake, I handle him about once a day. Matter of fact, I held him yesterday for about 20 minutes and he seemed fine. He was a little more mobile than usual, but no strikes. Today was a totally different story, though. And for a half hour after I fed him, if I walked by his cage, he would strike at my foot. I think he was in the zone today and it was just my bad luck to intrude on that. Oh well. Lesson learned.

And yeah, this has made me rethink my idea of getting a copperhead.... gonna wait a few more years before I take a trip down that road.

Dave

You guys are such babies. I just got bit and wrapped up for the first time a couple of weeks ago. It stung a little but that was it. I was laughing as I took her out to show my brother which was the reason I was taking her out in the first place. I think my brother was a little surprised though. I just left her there and she let go after figuring out she wasn't going to be able to eat me.
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Anna

The Zoo
Corns
1.0 Snow - Cornelius
1.1 Ghost(pastel) - Gray Ghost & Pink
1.1 Amel - Parker & Scarlet
0.1 Hypo - Nikko
0.1 Anery - Missy
0.1 Hypo Motley - Cordelia aka Cordy
Boas
0.1 Columbian (BCC) - Bella
Lizards
1.0 Leopard Gecko - Leo
Rats
I have two pet rats and about 14 breeders
Cats
1.1 Siamese - Blue & Fiona
0.1 Gray DMS - Druscilla aka Dru
Plus 3 kittens
Horses
1.0 Thourghbred (Hunter/Jumper) - Morgan's Majesty aka Cody
Plus whatever animals I am fostering for the local shelter!

Well I moved my rosehair tarantula to my nightstand and Im actually able to move her around with my fingers now.Baby steps.
Before Im 50 I will hold her without welder gloves on.

I was letting a 4 or 5 foot boa dangle from my arm and fed it a rat with my other hand, I wasn't thinking (obviously) and he seemed to feel my pulse in my arm so while he was constricting the rat (prekilled) he was squeezing the bejeesus outta my wrist and forearm, I managed to unwind him by starting with the tip of his tail and put him on the back of a ladderback chair I was like "ok that was a REALLY dumb idea".
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Gary Harris - gary@mydixiesys.com
http://www.dixiesys.com/
http://www.8-95.com/