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I just got my corn snake and i need help!

mjm2198

New member
hey i just got my corn snake, he's a sunfire, and ive never owned one or really been around one and i need to know how to approach him and pick him up, because he gets defensive when i try....any help would be great....THANKS!!
 
Let him settle in for a week without handling him. Then feed him, then let him digest for two days, then you can start handling him. Just pick him up, and handle him gently. He should soon figure out you mean him no harm. The first couple weeks or so are very stressful for him, though, and the most important thing is to get him relaxed, then get a meal in him. You'll have 20 years to make friends with him.
 
How old is he, my corn was pretty defensive when I first got her and now shes doing great. When I tried picking her up for about the first month every now and then she used to strike at my finger like a headbut but never tried biting (not that it's gunna be that bad from the little thing she was).

Good advice that I heard was scoop em up from underneath, don't come at em from directly above as this as you could imagine is gunna freak em out. Also keep calm and relaxed, they're really senisitive to your emotion. You'll find it really interesting the way they act around you and other people. If you get completely comfortable with him try letting one of your friends handle him and gague the snakes response (obviously if you think they look streesed take them back to calm them down) but its a really interesting exercise.

Like Nanci said let him settle in for a bit to. I've heard this as well new surroundings can be really stressful to them and you don't want to add to their agitation.

Just passing on adivce thats been given to me or that I've read. Hope this helps.
 
hey i just got my corn snake, he's a sunfire, and ive never owned one or really been around one and i need to know how to approach him and pick him up, because he gets defensive when i try....any help would be great....THANKS!!

If your snake is a year old or there about, and he strikes and nails you, you won't even feel it. The teeth are too small. It will just feel like a tap. If older, he might hold on for a moment. It wont hut at all. I say this because if you do get bit, I'd hate to see you recoil in fear and yank out a bunch of teeth.

After handling a feeder, I reached in and removed my snakes hide. He must have smelled a rat.:laugh: and went for it. He's a great eater.;) My mistake. His mistake too. He left a horseshoe shaped line of dots.

The moral of the story is to not sneak up on your guy with sweet smelling (to to a snake) hands. Always let him know your there before getting too close.
 
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