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Body Language

I

I<3Snakes!

New member
I am caring for an 8-month old female corn snake, and to be honest I have no clue what I'm doing. After TONS of internet research and calls to local stores, I think I have down the basics of her habitat, feeding, cleaning, shedding, and signs of trouble, but actually listening to her still eludes me. I have years and years of experience with dogs and cats, and can chat easily with them, but there is no crossover here.

What I can't find anywhere is a simple, easy to understand list of common body language signs and thier interpretations. For example, I have gathered that a tight S-shape in her neck, just below her head, with her chin slightly up, means she feels threatened and is trying to threaten back (i. e. she is about to strike). But what other tidbits have you collected over the years?

Thanks in advance for the help! I want to provide as comfortable and safe a home as I can.

-Chris
 
If she is formed into an “S” shape you are correct she is about to rip your face off. If she forms an “L” shape, she is about to rip the side of your face off. If she forms an “I” shape she is about to rip your face off. If she forms a “K” shape, she is probably dead.

Now when you pick her up, if she then forms an “S” shape, she is about to poop on you and then rip your face off.

If she is blinking her eyes rapidly, she has some dust in them and will rip your face off as soon as she can see it.

If she is bobbing her head up and down, she likes the beat of your music.

I hope this has been helpful. Feel free to ask questions any time.
 
what is this i dont even

It's a snake. S-shape, hissing, and biting mean go away, everything else means nothing. I think you're giving them a lot more credit in terms of intelligence than they need.
 
Lexie, that is not true. They smile when they are glad to see you or lick your hand. You can tell when they have had a bad day. I put a little tequila in their water when they seem down.
 
A few that spring to mind:

* Trying to escape = normal!

* Laying out in the open - either relaxed or not enough hides/ground cover.

* Being unusually defensive and active - check temps, they could be too high.

* Rattling tail = scared/threatened

* Soaking in the water bowl - again, check temps aren't too high, then look for mites.

* Hiding away more than usual and being more defensive than ususal - may be going into a shed.

* Suddenly getting active in the Spring and going off food - you have an adult male who's looking for lurve!

* Sleeping all day and partying all night = Normal!

* Hiding away for 2-3 days after feeding = Normal

* Coming out to see what's going on when you look into the tank or move round it = he trusts you won't eat him and remembers that you might have food on you!

And here's a "not":
* Being active immediately after feeding does NOT mean that he needs more food.


Some signals can be subtle with Corns. You'll find that once you're used to what's "normal" for her, you'll be able to detect quite small changes. Muscle tone is a good one. If she normally feels taut and strong when picked up, suddenly feeling slightly softer might be an indicator of a potential health problem. Similarly, if she usually feels soft and relaxed when picked up, suddenly becoming tense could be significant.

Snakes are a lot more functional than cats or dogs. They don't crave human company and don't respond to it in a reciprocal manner. The most you can expect is for your snake to tolerate you. The highest honour you'll ever be awarded, is when you realise that your snake trusts you. They operate on five basic instincts (and very few cognitive processes!):

- Am I safe?
- Am I the right temperature?
- Am I hungry?
- Am I thirsty?
...and in the breeding season:
- Do I have something to mate with?

Once those four (occasionally five) requirements are met, they have all they need.
 
I'm looking for signs that she is nervous or frightened, signs that she is comfortable, or body language that means "I want out" versus "I want to stay put". Anythig else too. I know that snakes aren't as intelligent as dogs, but that doesn't mean they won't display certain aspects of how they are doing at any given moment on the outside.

Anyone out there care to answer me?
 
bitsy said:
A few that spring to mind:

* Trying to escape = normal!

* Laying out in the open - either relaxed or not enough hides/ground cover.

* Being unusually defensive and active - check temps, they could be too high.

* Rattling tail = scared/threatened

* Soaking in the water bowl - again, check temps aren't too high, then look for mites.

* Hiding away more than usual and being more defensive than ususal - may be going into a shed.

* Suddenly getting active in the Spring and going off food - you have an adult male who's looking for lurve!

* Sleeping all day and partying all night = Normal!

* Hiding away for 2-3 days after feeding = Normal

* Coming out to see what's going on when you look into the tank or move round it = he trusts you won't eat him and remembers that you might have food on you!

And here's a "not":
* Being active immediately after feeding does NOT mean that he needs more food.


Some signals can be subtle with Corns. You'll find that once you're used to what's "normal" for her, you'll be able to detect quite small changes. Muscle tone is a good one. If she normally feels taut and strong when picked up, suddenly feeling slightly softer might be an indicator of a potential health problem. Similarly, if she usually feels soft and relaxed when picked up, suddenly becoming tense could be significant.

Snakes are a lot more functional than cats or dogs. They don't crave human company and don't respond to it in a reciprocal manner. The most you can expect is for your snake to tolerate you. The highest honour you'll ever be awarded, is when you realise that your snake trusts you. They operate on five basic instincts (and very few cognitive processes!):

- Am I safe?
- Am I the right temperature?
- Am I hungry?
- Am I thirsty?
...and in the breeding season:
- Do I have something to mate with?

Once those four (occasionally five) requirements are met, they have all they need.
Click to expand...

Lest we forget, snakes are unthinking instinctual animals with brains about the half size of a pea. As much as we love our little furless buddies, let’s not give them too much credit.


* Trying to escape = normal!

* Laying out in the open – everyone has to be somewhere, right now I’m in the open.

* Being unusually defensive and active – I feel like moving around today, maybe I can find a snack.

* Rattling tail = scared/threatened

* Soaking in the water bowl – I like to soak. Everyone needs to be somewhere.

* Hiding away more than usual and being more defensive than ususal – I just want to be alone. Everyone needs to be somewhere, right now I’m here.

* Suddenly getting active in the Spring and going off food – I feel good today, it’s Spring.

* Sleeping all day and partying all night = Too much tequila last night!

* Hiding away for 2-3 days after feeding = Will you leave me alone for hells sake. Could a guy have a little privacy?

* Coming out to see what's going on when you look into the tank or move round it = Who’s that? What’s going on.

And here's a "not":
* Being active immediately after feeding does NOT mean that he needs more food. He could be looking for lurve.


- Am I safe?
- Am I the right temperature?
- Am I hungry?
- Am I thirsty?
...and in the breeding season:
- Do I have something to mate with?

Gee, that pretty much describes me!!
 
I think tht was a good question with a good reply from Bitsy...
And then a v. funny one from wade to top it off....
 
lmao Wade



Also, with my female corn, I've noticed that if I'm handling her and she's exploring instead of hiding, she's hungry.


bitsy said:
* Soaking in the water bowl - again, check temps aren't too high, then look for mites.
Click to expand...

Don't forget that some snakes just like water, and some sit in the bowl when they're shedding.
 
Snakes don't have the limbs to display many differntiating postures. If they jerk back, tail rattle, or flatten their head a bite may be in your near future, or their just scared. When they climb all over their cage reaching for the top they want out, but not to be held- just to escape. To be honest most snakes could care less about being taken out or being held, but if you want to bon with the visitor take him out anyway:)
 
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