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How old?

kbnha_goddess May 17, 2005 07:34 PM

We have a corn snake that is about 11 years old. How old do they normally live?

Also, for the last few years my son was taking care of her, and never handled her very much. She got to be very cranky and didn;t like to be handled. My son moved out 2 months ago, and my youngest daughter took over the care of the snake. In this time, my daughter has been taking her out of her cage more and more, so that now, we can hold her all the time. My question is over the last 4 or 5 days, when my daughter holds her, she gets very relaxed. Before, when any of us would hold her she was constantly moving, but now, she'll just sit with us and move very slowly. In fact, my daughter hangs her around her neck and the snake just stays there looking around. Is this normal behaviour? My husband thinks she's just getting more and more comfortable with us, so she's just relaxed, but I'm concerned that there's something wrong with her. She's eating fine, molting her skin beautifully, so I just don't know. Is it possible for her to be handled too much?

Replies (2)

draybar May 17, 2005 08:22 PM

>>We have a corn snake that is about 11 years old. How old do they normally live?
>>
>>Also, for the last few years my son was taking care of her, and never handled her very much. She got to be very cranky and didn;t like to be handled. My son moved out 2 months ago, and my youngest daughter took over the care of the snake. In this time, my daughter has been taking her out of her cage more and more, so that now, we can hold her all the time. My question is over the last 4 or 5 days, when my daughter holds her, she gets very relaxed. Before, when any of us would hold her she was constantly moving, but now, she'll just sit with us and move very slowly. In fact, my daughter hangs her around her neck and the snake just stays there looking around. Is this normal behaviour? My husband thinks she's just getting more and more comfortable with us, so she's just relaxed, but I'm concerned that there's something wrong with her. She's eating fine, molting her skin beautifully, so I just don't know. Is it possible for her to be handled too much?

They have been known to live around 20 years. I think I read about a 23 year old corn snake once.
As long as the snake is eating and sheding regularily I wouldn't be too worried.
Sounds to me like it is just mellowing out.
Corns do tend to settle down as they age. It has probably just gotten used to being handled again.
Just to be on the safe side, keep an eye on her. If her appetite waines or other symptoms arise get her to a vet. Until that happens I don't think handling will be a problem. That is as long as she isn't subjected to extreme temperatures or stressful situations.
good luck
-----
Corn snakes and rat snakes..No one can have just one.
"resistance is futile"
Jimmy (draybar)

Draybars Snakes

Kel May 18, 2005 08:01 AM

If you pick her up and she doesn't show any sign of interest in what's going on, then there could be something wrong. Also if she appears to lose muscle tone - get very limp all of a sudden.

As long as she's alert, flicking her tongue in and out and reacting to what's happening in some way, then she's probably fine and just getting more relaxed around you.

As always, if you're seriously worried then a trip to the vet for a checkup might be an idea.

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