I bought my 5 and 7 year old children a cornsnake, which they love very much. I have restricted all handling until I can get the cornsnake to eat. Last night she ate her first F/T pinkie and I plan on feeding her again in 5 days. My question is when can I let my children play/hold their new pet without worrying about stressing the snake out (she is 11-12 weeks old)? I realize she cannot be held for 48 hours after feeding, but do you think that 1 or two more feedings would indicate that she is more comfortable and could handle being held? Also, something I have never seen talked about before is do adult cornsnakes ever bite? and if so, at what age does it hurt (pierce the skin?). Just wondering if it happens very often. Thanks for any advice.
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Children handling snake
- Thread starter Debsi
- Start date
snakemom1961
Spring is here!
Can't say much about your baby, and when you should let your kids start holding it, but I can tell you I got my daughters a 3ft adult corn, 3 yrs ago for christmas. There was only one time it bit anyone, and that was when my daughters brought it to school for a biology class and the boy had just held a mouse and didn't wash his hands before trying to pick up Tiaga. Other then that one time she has never shown any aggression towards any of us
connord94
New member
correct me if im wrong or if you disagree but my opinion is. . .
you start handling on a regular basis, and when he/she is calm with you, hand him/her over to your eldest child, then after a couple of minutes take the snake back and give it to your younger one, and every handling session let your kids have a little bit more time with the snake, and then he/she will get used to all three of you!!
my snake has got nothing to do with my mam/dad/older bro/younger sis,
he is my snake and it is up to me to feed him, clean him etc. etc. BUT i handle him when i want!!
you start handling on a regular basis, and when he/she is calm with you, hand him/her over to your eldest child, then after a couple of minutes take the snake back and give it to your younger one, and every handling session let your kids have a little bit more time with the snake, and then he/she will get used to all three of you!!
my snake has got nothing to do with my mam/dad/older bro/younger sis,
he is my snake and it is up to me to feed him, clean him etc. etc. BUT i handle him when i want!!
BeckyG
Making it up as I go
It is hard to give a pat answer to this question, since every snake is different. Personally, I'd wait until he's eaten several times--like 6-8--before handling him. Then begin handling him for only about 10 minutes a day. If he seems stressed or goes off his feed, no more handling until he's eaten 4-6 more times.
That's just how I'd recommend you do it. Personally, I don't handle my hatchlings much until they are about a year old, but I've got older snakes to play with as well.
That's just how I'd recommend you do it. Personally, I don't handle my hatchlings much until they are about a year old, but I've got older snakes to play with as well.
diamondlil
Mice! They taste so nice!
I second Becky's suggestion. Eating much more important than handling for a while (but then I also have older corns to play with too 
)
)
Hypancistrus
New member
I did not handle my boy until he had eaten twice, pooped twice, and shed once. This took about 2 and a half weeks I think. I went four to six weeks with my first girl because she never ate regularly (and ended up dying). The only time I held her was to put her in her feeding bag.
But Hokie has been doing fine with handling for about 15 minutes each weekday that he has not fed. I feed on Mondays and it takes about 36 hours for him to poop. At that point, I will handle him.
As for kids, I agree with what was said above. I think it's good to get them used to handling at a young age, when IF they bite you (mine never has!) it won't hurt or even be noticeable. My GF was quite snake-phobic, and having her able to handle such a small snake has helped a lot with easing her fears.
Only drawback is that they are quite quick when small!!
But Hokie has been doing fine with handling for about 15 minutes each weekday that he has not fed. I feed on Mondays and it takes about 36 hours for him to poop. At that point, I will handle him.
As for kids, I agree with what was said above. I think it's good to get them used to handling at a young age, when IF they bite you (mine never has!) it won't hurt or even be noticeable. My GF was quite snake-phobic, and having her able to handle such a small snake has helped a lot with easing her fears.
Only drawback is that they are quite quick when small!!