Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi..do corns rattle their tails?

Im in FL and I was watching what I swore was a cornsnake climbing out of my deck..when I moved to get a closer look (wishing i had my camera with me) it rattled its tail at me and I kept my distance. im not great at IDing snakes and id hate to get bit by a venemous snake thinking it was a corn. hes long gone now (this was a few days ago) but i was curious

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Sarah
IgWhippedInFlorida
groups.yahoo.com/group/IgWhippedInFlorida/

hey whats up yes they do rattle their tails i have a regular colored corn snake male about 3ft long n he rattles his tail wen i reach my hand in his tank n change the water i don't know why but they just do maybe he feels someone is intruding on his property probably thats why

My two corns and one king all rattle their tails, mostly when they are being on the defense for something (ie: hand reaching in to change water while they are entering the hide). It freaked me out the first time I heard it but now its kinda cute!! LOL My snow corn almost looks like she "puffs" up too!

If I see any snake in the wild, I will observe from a distance, I also am not a great I.D.-er of snakes so I won't take a chance.
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Becki, loved by:

1 pet hubby
1 fur-angel, Great Dane, Lucky
1 lab/great pyr. mix, Bandit
1 grey banded king, Nitro (aka The Pig!)
1 snow corn, Nessy
1 blizzard corn, no name yet!

Sara,
Many colubrids rattle their tales when they feel intimidated or vulnerable. That snake was just letting you know that he wasn't comfortable with the role of potential prey item. A belly full of food can also trigger tail rattling--the snake can't move as fast and feels vulnerable. My corns, kings, milks, bulls and rats all do it from time to time. When in doubt of the identity of a wild snake, caution is best. Whether venemous or not, tail rattling is a sign of discomfort on the part of the tail owner!
regards,
althea

thanks guys for informing me about the rattling

about the wild snake thing..i never did nor intended to pick it up or touch it or poke it with a stick,etc..

I was just taking a look at him from 3 or 4 feet away. this was a corn around 1' long crawling out of gutter on the deck. i took a step closer and he shook his tail and rattled. i was very sure it was a corn until the rattle threw me for a loop. hence me asking

i have not picked up or played with wild snakes (sorry, darwin i understand caution with all animals, wild or not

sarah

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Sarah
IgWhippedInFlorida
groups.yahoo.com/group/IgWhippedInFlorida/