Advise to tame a corn hatchling please!

[dennywright85]

This is my second snake although it's my first corn and I've only had it a four days but it's like it's never been touched my human. It strikes when I put my hand near it or if I touch it's body it scatters away. I have been able to put gloves on and handle it and it seems ok with the gloves after an initial first strike. Can anyone give me any tips please? Thanks[emoji2]

 

[HVani]

First give him a week to settle in. His whole life has been turned upside down and it's really stressful. You don't really need gloves for hatchlings. Their bites are like velcro and very rarely break the skin. In my experience gloves just make your hands seem bigger and scarier. Remember he's really scared.

At this age they can be a bit jumpy. After a settle in period just do some gentle handling 2-3 times a week. If you cup your hand over him it should help him to calm down a bit. With age they will calm down.

 

[dennywright85]

I think it's just a bit new and daunting for both me and the snake so far so I will try your advice in hope it helps him be a bit more happy around me. Can u leave something in the viv with your scent on it to help him remember your scent or is that just a myth? I have a royal python but he was already two year old when I got him and very placid and tame. Thanks a lot

 

[HVani]

I'm not sure if the T shirt thing helps or not. I've always calmed down hatchlings with regular short handling sessions.

 

[albertagirl]

After his settle in period, try picking him up while he's sleeping instead of when he's already awake. This usually works for me, they're in my hand already by the time they know what's going on and there's much less panic response.

 

[dennywright85]

Yeah that's a great idea I always leave the glove in and he sleeps inside it so I hope my scent won't be to strange for him.I'm gonna leave him to settle then try picking him up at night and handle him a little daily and see if that works if it doesn't I'll cup my hands over him and take the strike

 

[dennywright85]

Thanks for all your help!

 

[elliotulysses]

Mine have all calmed down by keeping short, frequent handling sessions after letting them settle in. Within a few weeks I had my first corn snuggling inside my 2DS case while I gamed with him in my presence
And really
Don't be afraid of bites. I've gotten some accidental strikes from larger snakes and it really doesn't hurt as much as other animal bites IMO. I'd take a ball python bite over a rat bite ANY day.

 

[dennywright85]

I think if I felt a bite I wouldn't be feeling so nervous about it, within its because I've always had a glove on when it strikes but I'm just gonna go for it and hopefully it won't be long until I can show him off to family and friends

 

[elliotulysses]

I think if I felt a bite I wouldn't be feeling so nervous about it, within its because I've always had a glove on when it strikes but I'm just gonna go for it and hopefully it won't be long until I can show him off to family and friends

Have you ever had a piercing? Or blood drawn for medical reasons?
Both hurt WAY more than a corn bite.
But I see a lot of people who are more freaked out about the idea. Maybe it's that anticipation anxiety!

 

[Chip]

Most of the corn bites I get are adult feeding response bites. Defensive bites aren't nearly as bad (not that feeding bites are "bad," they just don't let go right away), and hatching defensive bites often can not be felt. Many times I see one bite my hand while transferring during cage cleaning that I wouldn't even have noticed if I wasn't looking. Even a yearling feels about like putting Scotch tape on your hand and pulling it off. You'll probably laugh when the first one happens and be over any anxiety about the proposition of being bitten by a tiny snake immediately.