Best way to start handling my corn

[uservant]

Im getting my corn on Wednesday and want to know when i should begin handling and how i should go about it please give me some input.

 

[Raiden The Almighty]

I would wait 1-2 days and give him a meal at dusk. after he has had a couple of days to digest and relax carefully remove him from the substrate and just let him move through your fingers. hold him for 10-15 minutes a day until he begins to calm down when you hold him. Dont handdle him for too long in a single session until hes about a month or two old and has become comfortable with you.

 

[Rorryy]

I agree with what Raiden said except that if you can resist give the little one more time to settle in before handling. I believe the consensus is more like at least 5-7 days with out handling or offering a meal. Especially if it is a hatchling arriving in the mail. I had a really hard time keeping my grubby paws off a new snake at first, but consider how stressful it is for the snake to be shipped and then acclimating to a totally new environment and on top of it here comes this giant hand that may be a predator. Do you have the enclosure all set up and ready to go?

 

[Rorryy]

Oh, yeah

Welcome to the forum and to snake keeping. The folks here are full of knowledge and willing to share it with newcomers. The search function is also a really good tool and will provide many hours of reading material. I hope you have the time!

Angela

 

[Alsoknownas]

Rorryy pretty much covered it.

Patience is the key, especially if this is your first. I've had mine for 5 days and I began to hold him inside the tank on the second day for a few minutes, and of course he was terrified. I fed him on the third, and late in the fourth day I began to handle him outside the tank for about 5 minutes. Also sometimes I'll stick my hand in so he can smell my scent, just to get it through to him that I'm no threat. But yes, almost everyone would recommend giving it time, 1-2 or more days before gently handling it.

 

[diamondlil]

At least a week would be best, and then just briefly to put in feeding container for the first feed, and then gently tip back into Viv and leave for 3-4 days. I know it seems hard but if you let hatchlings use their energy for growing and resist the urge to handle they settle down better. There isn't a Golden window for taming them, most hatchlings are flighty, most settle down into being calmer as they grow. By avoiding the stress of handling in the first couple of months you'll run less risks of regurge.

 

[delhalew]

I'm not gonna lay a hand on mine for 7 days, actually 9. I'm gonna feed him on the 7th day.

I was told that some of the conveyers in FedEx wharehouses move at speeds of 40 mph. Guy in Chicago said packages regularly fly off and bounce of the wall.

Now matter how carefully the snake is packed, that has got to suck. I think I'd need a week to decide the sky isn't going to fall

 

[uservant]

Thanks for the info i have my viv all set up and as tempting as it will be to put my grubby hands on him I agree it makes sense to let him adjust to his surroundings before being manhandled.

I will feed him on about the 5th day as mine is coming via airmail so the stress of that alone can't be good but his new home is nice and ready for him.

thanks for all the info i am really learning a great deal in a short time about these beautiful animals thanks again

 

[Flagg]

I will feed him on about the 5th day as mine is coming via airmail so the stress of that alone can't be good but his new home is nice and ready for him.

thanks for all the info i am really learning a great deal in a short time about these beautiful animals thanks again

I hope you mean overnight Federal Express and not actual "airmail" because you or the shipper could get busted for that.

 

[uservant]

Yes overnight delivery