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Baby Corn Snake Striking

M

MoparGuy426

New member
I just received my first corn snake about a week and a half ago. I let her settle in for a week before handling. Every time I go to handle her she still gets very scared and even when she is removed from the viv she still rattles her tail and occasionally strikes at my hand. I just finished handling her tonight and once i placed her back in the viv she instantly got into a defensive stance ready to strike at me again. From what Ive read this is completely normally. The striking doesn't bother me any more since it doesn't hurt at all. What I was wondering is how long does this striking/nervous faze usually last? How can I contribute? Ide rather her grow out of the face sooner then later.
 
Keep on keepin' on. I don't know how old she is, but I am thinking she is a baby. They are like that and you are right, it IS normal, she is a little tiny thing and you are this big giant unknown to her. I am glad you aren't afraid of her, so just handle her for a few minutes a day, gradually increasing the time. Make sure she is always supported so she knows she won't fall. I'll bet in a month you will be best buds.

What do you have the UTH thermostat set at, and are the thermometers reading correctly? The hot side should be at 87° under the substrate, right over the UTH, and the cool side would be around 75°. If it is too hot or cold she might be uncomfortable.

Oh, and isn't that tail rattling the cutest?
 
My new little guy does the same thing. I got him in March, and he's still very defensive. I'm in your boat, just trying to hang in there until he figures out that I don't want to eat him! :)
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I was scared of the striking for a little while so i used gloves. Then the next day went to one glove just for taking her our. When i was holding her she snapped at my skin and i finally realized it didn't hurt lol. No need for gloves anymore. I do not have a thermostat yet i've just been feeling the UTH to make sure it isn't to hot. Which one would you recommend?
 
MoparGuy426 said:
I do not have a thermostat yet i've just been feeling the UTH to make sure it isn't to hot. Which one would you recommend?
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Feeling the UTH is not going to help, if it even feels warm to your hand it is too warm, your body temp is 98° and the UTH should be at 87°, you HAVE to have a thermostat to regulate it. An unregulated UTH can get up to 120° and burn your baby! I would unplug it immediately and get a thermostat... stat!

ZooMed and Reptitherm both make good ones, and you will also need a digital probe thermometer to make sure the temp is right. The thermometer will go in the viv, directly on top of the glass over the UTH.
 
Ok im getting one asap! Another thing i thought ide mention. Both yesterday and today when taking her out of the viv she pooped. I remembering reading that they only poop when relaxed but she was very nervous. Tried striking me when i reached my hand in
 
MoparGuy426 said:
Ok im getting one asap! Another thing i thought ide mention. Both yesterday and today when taking her out of the viv she pooped. I remembering reading that they only poop when relaxed but she was very nervous. Tried striking me when i reached my hand in
Click to expand...

She's an ornery one! I really think it has to do with the temps, it can make anyone cranky when they are too hot or too cold. Let us know what the temps are when you get the thermometer and thermostat. I'll bet she mellows out.
 
I'm not sure where you read that they only poop when relaxed. All my king snakes sling poop every time I get them out, and I used to have this other corn snake that would literally flip his tail towards me every time I got him out, and as he did it, he would LAUNCH poop all over me. It is definitely something they will use as a defense, in my experience.
 
AliCat37 said:
I'm not sure where you read that they only poop when relaxed. All my king snakes sling poop every time I get them out, and I used to have this other corn snake that would literally flip his tail towards me every time I got him out, and as he did it, he would LAUNCH poop all over me. It is definitely something they will use as a defense, in my experience.
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Nothin' like a good feces-slingin' to start your day! LOL!
 
MoparGuy426 said:
Ok im getting one asap! Another thing i thought ide mention. Both yesterday and today when taking her out of the viv she pooped. I remembering reading that they only poop when relaxed but she was very nervous. Tried striking me when i reached my hand in
Click to expand...

So what has happened with her with the thermostat? Is she happier and calmer?
 
I swear my snake waits till I take her out to crap all over. On the scale. On the bed. On my laundry basket. And always when I'm least expecting it.
 
I always wait at least 2 days after feeding to hold them, but even then you never know!

So how are the temps now?
 
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