Normal?

Ok, the first day i got my corn(Nemo) he was pretty shy, just well you know acclumating to his surroundings, well i fed him a few pinkies...then about a half-an hour later tryed to pick him up(this is still the first day remember) well i put my hand in the cage and he kinda just watched me bring it closer to him, the like i touched him and he freaked, started zoomin all around the cage and stuff . so i didnt try since, it had been about a week, should i try again BEFORE his feedings? or was it just normal not used to the environment behavior? :shrugs:

thanks in advance! :cheers:

~Nemo~

Let him acclimate for a few days

Greetings,

Give that critter some time to chill. Hatchlings tend to feel vulnerable (shy). In nature when something goes to pick them up it's to EAT them not to admire them. They feel particularly vulnerable when their bellies are full. You shouldn't handle your snake for two days after feeding him. They need time to digest, and you would too if you just ate an entire turkey in one bite. LOL Pickup a copy of Bill and Kathy Love's 'Corn Snake Manual'. It's the best place to start learning good husbandry.


Cheers,
Jason

"never swim within 30 minutes of eating."
"never handle within 2 days of feeding."

Both are very true and should be followed 100%. In normal metabolism, most animals put a higher priority on digesting food then on anything else. Because snakes are normaly prey when they are small, wandering around in the open is kind of like swimming - very dangerous and requiring a lot of energy. They, therefore, have a natural increase in their instincts to hide and to stay away from predators because they are more vulnerable.

Also, it's a good idea to leave the snake alone for AT LEAST three days before you have any contact with it. You DEFINITELY should NOT feed it the first day you get the snake. Also, get the corn snake manual by Kathy Love if you can (it's too expensive but it's worth it to have a definite resource to make sure you are treating your animal right.

When you do begin handling for training/the fun of it, start small. Don't pull the snake out of it's viv, just let it run through your hands while you hold them in his viv. Handle for two minutes the first day and work up. If the snake seems to get nervous, move your hand low enough that it can go back to the viv. Don't 'put' it away, let it go on it's own. Good luck with your new snake, I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

completely true what neumann and azruial have said, just another little tip for you, when you go to handle her try not to grab her by the head or upper body, they are not keen on that, also try not to pick her up from approaching her from above at all, they feel intimidated by that too. slowly and confidently pick her up from her mid body if you can, if shes coiled up then i find it easier to pick them up, rather than them stretched out and they end up skooting away from you the second you touch them. lol, this tends to happen especially in younger corns.
good luck and let us know how you get on with her.