Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I got a Juvenile Oketee corn snake from a local breeder about 2 weeks ago. He is still very defensive when I try to pick him up. Will he eventually grow out of this? I have read many people having problems with hatchlings being nippy, but not a nearly 3 foot juvenile, I would suppose he is no more than 9-12 months old. I think he is big for his age because his brother was only like 2 feet in length.

It will eventualy grow out of it, if you work with it daily. If you dont want to get bit then try to handle it about a day afer it eats. but you should work with it all the time. youll get use to it if it bites you. if you want to some people put an article of clothing in with the snake (I dont know if this works). Or if you want to you can wear gloves but i recommend that you just work with it without gloves.
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Snakes Rule!!!
Blake Mikesell
stoneageh.tripod.com/
stoneage107@juno.com

Thanks for the info, I failed to mention that he bit me on the same day he shed his skin. Do they get testy when they shed?

If there shedding you should leave them alone. before they shed they cant see as good because of the skin so they get a little grouchy (wouldnt you if you couldnt see who is trying to pick you up). hope this helps!
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Snakes Rule!!!
Blake Mikesell
stoneageh.tripod.com/
stoneage107@juno.com

thanks so much, i am new to the herp scene, so all the info i can gather helps!!

wow - it' so great to have found this site and this exchange. I am a mom with an eight year old daughter who has wanted a snake for a year. I've done some research; we shopped all Saturday (5 hours) looking for a corn snake. We found one that was "grumpy". We were told it had been just over a week since he had been fed. We brought him home, fed him a furry (or fluffy or fuzzy - I can't remember). He snatched it and gobbled it down.

The next day we wanted to pick it up but every time we tried he lunged at us with mouth wide open. My husband and I want to be the first to hold him because we don't want a bite to scare Ashley away. She's held lots of snakes and really wants this to work.

Of course, you hear everything from - leave it alone at least three full days, to pick it up immediately, to use gloves, to don't use gloves.

I know there's no one-good-answer, but any further experiences, ideas or suggestions would be mucho appreciated!

PS - is it mean to keep finding and exposing the snake when it's hiding? How much is too much? We're sooooooooooooooooo curious.

Well, I have only had my corn snake for about a month, but I wouldnt recommend picking him up until 48 hours after he eats. Regurgitation can happen and you dont want to risk that. I have read of to many people having there snakes vomit one day and the next day find them dead from the stress I suppose. Not only that but they some time to get used to thier new home. I would suggest giving him some time to settle in. I good rule of thumb to limit the amount of stress for the snake to a minimum, which includes not handling him as often as you would like. Yes I know its going to be hard because handling snakes is really a cool thing, but you have to consider the health of your corn also.

I typically handle mine once or twice a day 10-30 minutes at a time. And I wait 48 hours from time he ate until I hold handle him. I also use a 12/12 on/off day lamp to minimize the stress from a continuous light on. I wouldnt worry about him striking at you he is just young he/she will grow out of it, besides the bite doesnt hurt anyway. However, I would touch them during shed, they seem to be quite sensitive during that period.

I hope this helps.

bless you! all sounds like good advice. Now, do you have any ideas on how to teach my daughter patience??? lol