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Isabella90

Isabella90

New member
Siddhartha has been eating well the past two feedings, I haven't handled him much or at all for like two weeks because he has been so darty and antsy when I hold him. I'm afraid of dropping him or him escaping from my hands. I know ill have to get over that to handle him properly, but I also think he is going to shed soon so I have Been avoiding handling him for that reason too. I suppose my question is should I keep handling him despite my fear, and he will geylt used to it and so will I? Also if I think he might shed soon should I hold off feeding him so I don't waist food? Or should I try any's way?
 
Hey there. I think that you should definitely continue to handle him (when he isn't digesting or in the shed cycle). That's the only way you two will get to feel comfortable with each other. Most likely, he will calm down with repeated handling and won't be so flighty. If you are worried he will dart away from you, handle him over his cage so you know he won't fall far and can't get away. Soon you'll figure out how to handle him in a way that makes you feel secure he won't drop or dart away.

I think opinions differ on whether or not to feel when a snake is in shed cycle. My personal feeling is that I wait until they are done shedding, but some people go ahead and feed anyway.

Good luck!
 
Know anyone around who keeps snakes? I bet someone picking him right up and and handing him to you a couple of times will get you over it. Also, a bite might be just what it takes! Sounds counter-intuitive, but lots of folks realize there is nothing to being bitten only after they are bitten.
 
I agree with what the others said. We got our first snake 'cuz my daughter always wanted one, I wouldn't hold him at all at first. Then I'd just touch him lightly with my finger tip, getting braver I'd hold him as long as my daughter was *right there* with me. I slowly got used to getting and holding him. He bit me once and ,yes as odd as it sounds, I was glad it happened 'cuz I realized it didn't hurt at all. Now we have four corns, two of which are feisty to get out and my daughter won't even hold them never mind get them out of their vivs. But to me their my babies, lol, and I don't have a problem getting them. Oh they try to dart away, but I just go for them quickly and gently and once their out of their vivs they settle down. I'm living proof that the more you do handle them, the more comfortable you get with it.
 
You can also try sitting on the ground or floor when you hold him so that if he slips out of your grasp, it's not a long fall.
 
Okay, I know it's not a corn but bear with me, when I hatched out a clutch from a wild black rat, (they are all now released but one little girl I'm keeping) These little snakes were so crazy they would just about launch themselves out of the tub to bite me. The keeper is a yearling now and over just the past couple months she's an entirely different animal. No more lunging, mouth gaping or buzzing, well, she buzzes at the dog but that's it. Just be confident and have short handling sessions. Sit down and just hold it, try not to focus on it too much but give it time to calm down, once it is calm you can put it back into it's whatever you keep it in. As far as shedding and feeding, I personally offer food when mine are in shed occasionally, but usually they come out of shed with a far better appetite so if you think you snake is stressed I would wait and feed after.
 
He doesn't strike or lunge to bite, he was, but I turned his heating pad down a little and that solved the striking problem. He just tries to leap out of my hands.
 
I hold my snake for about 30 minutes at least 3 or 4 times a week. I was like you when I first got him. Now its just second nature to me. Believe it or not the more you handle them the more they get used to it. I can put my hand in the viv with my snake now and he will just crawl up my arm. Just don't squeeze it too tight let the snake just crawl around and do what he wants to do and guide him. The more you do it the better your experience of ownership will be.
 
my snakes like being inside a kitchen towel, gives them a sense of security being covered up but being curious they always want to see what is going on... when little their instinct is to hide, now they just curl up and when they are ready they explore under close supervision.... but they all get out for about 30 minutes a day except in a deep blue... oh and when they figure out that you will hold them inside the towel and a firm, gently grip they learn to sqeeze and wiggle through to get a body scratch ... it's crazy since you think they are trying to get away but mine have learned it they turn back into the towel they can have another back scratch....
 
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