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First Feed

D

daddylurve

New member
I stuffed it up a bit, but all seems to be good for now.

I've had fluffy (yes, that's the name) for about four days now, so I thought I'd have a go at handling him. I read on here that I should pull him out of his coiled position first, so I tried this, but he just kept turning his head to face me. It wasn't long before the tail was rattling, so I backed off.

I fed him about 5 mins after this. The mouse fell into an awkward place, where he may not have been able to get to it, so I reached in to move it, and he took a couple of lunges at my hand.

Anyway, I left the mouse in, then went to wash my hands, worrying that I'd spooked him too much to want to feed. By the time I got back from the bathroom, however, there were a pair of feet and a tail sticking out of his mouth, so this at least made me happy.

Now I'm wondering. How long after feeding him should I wait before trying to handle again? Also, how do I avoid him getting a negetive vibe about me? I get the distinct impression he doesn't like me, so how do I go about picking him up?

Any suggestions welcome

Thanks
 
Wait at least 2 full days before handling after feeding. Any sooner and you are pressing your luck for getting a regurge.

The main thing with handling is to just be confident, don't be afraid, and take deliberate actions. Once you go to pick him up don't waiver about it. Don't pull away if he lunges or just turns to face you. Whether or not snakes can sense fear is another topic, but I'd be willing to be that they certainly don't appreciate a hand waving around at them. :)

Try to avoid reaching directly for his head as this is likely what a predator looking for a meal would do. If he makes a break for it, just take a firm (not too firm!) hold of him and pick him up. Again don't grab at his head and don't just hang on by the tail. Sometimes it they make this part difficult. A couple of mine that get regular handling still like to toss every last bit of aspen around their tub as I try to get them out!

Once he's out just let him go back and forth between your hands. If he is spooked and tries to take off just hold on to him gently, but firmly. Let him know that he can't get away and just be firm until he starts to calm down. Always try to end each handling session on a good note when he is calm. Putting him away because he bites, squirms, poops, etc is just rewarding him for bad behavior and can become a conditioned response.

Obviously, don't worry about him biting you. If he has lunged at you already, it's not unlikely that he may bite. It won't hurt and most likely won't draw blood unless he really chomps on you. Just be fearless!!

Good luck!
 
daddylurve said:
Thankyou so much.

Right, looks like me, fluffy and a pair of gloves have a date for Wednesday.
Click to expand...

I too am a first time owner, having mine for about a month now. Mine is always kinda skittish at first when I hold him, but he's never tried to bite. I wouldn't wear gloves, because it might make it harder to handle him. Plus, even if he does bite, how bad could it be?
 
daddylurve said:
I stuffed it up a bit, but all seems to be good for now.

I've had fluffy (yes, that's the name) for about four days now, so I thought I'd have a go at handling him. I read on here that I should pull him out of his coiled position first, so I tried this, but he just kept turning his head to face me. It wasn't long before the tail was rattling, so I backed off.

I fed him about 5 mins after this. The mouse fell into an awkward place, where he may not have been able to get to it, so I reached in to move it, and he took a couple of lunges at my hand.

Anyway, I left the mouse in, then went to wash my hands, worrying that I'd spooked him too much to want to feed. By the time I got back from the bathroom, however, there were a pair of feet and a tail sticking out of his mouth, so this at least made me happy.

Now I'm wondering. How long after feeding him should I wait before trying to handle again? Also, how do I avoid him getting a negetive vibe about me? I get the distinct impression he doesn't like me, so how do I go about picking him up?

Any suggestions welcome

Thanks
Click to expand...

And on another note:
It sounds like your feeding your snake in the Viv, which I wouldn't recommend.
You snake could eat some substrate and have problems.
 
Lennycorn said:
And on another note:
It sounds like your feeding your snake in the Viv, which I wouldn't recommend.
You snake could eat some substrate and have problems.
Click to expand...

That, and you don't want Fluffy to start associating your hands reaching into his viv with feeding... he might mistake your fingers for a delicious pinkie snack one day, and..! :grin01:
 
feeding outside of the viv

I too am a new corn owner - 2 weeks ago I got a beautiful crimson corn. With help from this forum I have gotten over my irrational fear of picking Bart up. I was fine at the pet shop, but at home after some attitude from him I was almost freaking out with fear, with my heart rate increasing every time I thought of wanting to handle him. I hated that feeling, as I love snakes, and wanted to have a pet I could care for and build a relationship with. Anyway, it is still early days, but at least I feel easier about getting him out of his viv.

I had some great advice from another posting, about averting your eyes and looking at the snake sideways on when going to pick them up. It means you are less jumpy and less likely to recoil your hand if they react to you... A bit like watching through your fingers at a scary movie - makes it bearable and not seem so frightening! :eek1:

I have given him 2 feeds now, both 1 week apart, and have taken note of the advice on this forum to not feed in the viv.

At the moment I am feeding him in the box I took him home in from the reptile centre. Bart is approx 6 months old, and so quite small. The container is no bigger than a plastic take away box. As soon as he is in the box he has eaten the pinkie without any hesitation. :eatsmiley I then put the box back in the viv, and let him come out of it at his own pace.

However, I have 2 questions
1. As he gets bigger, what should I feed him in?
2. Is the 1 pinkie once a week enough? How do I know? I can see it moving down his body, but I can't say that it makes a huge lump that is really noticeable... So when do you either increase the amount of pinkies you give, OR move up to the next size of mouse, OR increase the frequency of feeding.

All this is new to me - I am loving the amount of learning that I am doing, and passing onto my 2 sons - far more than for any other pet we have had. It's great! :dancer:
 
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