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Handling question

F

FNC80

New member
Well, we got our first cornsnake today, thanks to babaloo for the great vivs and JM for a very docile anery. The kids named him Pepper :)

Here he is in his new hide. Since he's in a new environment, I understand I need to leave him be for a few days.

After he gets used to his new home, what is the proper way to handle him? Specifically, how do I bring him out of his cage when he's in his hide? Thanks.
 

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Lift up the hide, hold your hand in flat front of him so he knows you're not a threat or food, then gently grab him and pick him up. Be sure to wash your hands before and after handling, and limit the amount of handling for the first few weeks to only 1 or 2 short sessions per day. Also, don't handle for at least 2 days after feeding.

While handling, always allow the head free range of motion, and pretty much just let the snake do what he wants to do. You can gently guide his head in the general direction you want him to go, but unlike a ball python, cornsnakes tend to find a path and follow it. Support the belly at all times, and just let him hang out and get used to being handled.

Enjoy your new baby!
 
I agree with the above post with one addition, make sure there is a towel or something nearby as they tend to relieve themselves with exersize.
 
piscesgirl1984 said:
I agree with the above post with one addition, make sure there is a towel or something nearby as they tend to relieve themselves with exersize.
Click to expand...


Whenever I handle my snakes, the first thing I do is put a wash rag in the bathroom sink with a little water. I set my snake in the sink and they always poo within a minute... ALWAYS.
That we we can both enjoy our visit. LOL
:grin01:
 
I have never had that problem. I guess I'll need to start keeping a towel handy, just in case of the inevitable. But I have seriously never had my snake defecate on me or musk me, and I have handled her pretty much everyday, except after feeding, for the past month...
 
we got are first snake about 7 months ago an it has never went poo on me.but......................... it has on my son an my wife. lol
 
tyflier said:
Lift up the hide, hold your hand in flat front of him so he knows you're not a threat or food, then gently grab him and pick him up. Be sure to wash your hands before and after handling, and limit the amount of handling for the first few weeks to only 1 or 2 short sessions per day.
Click to expand...

That's the answer I was looking for. Thanks! I didn't want to come across as a threat, and in my mind, if I were the snake and was resting comfortably and securely in my hide, then all of a sudden my shelter is lifted away and what appears to be a large paw lifts me up and out, then I'd be in a defensive mode.

What you said re. presenting your hand makes sense.
 
gumdrop said:
Whenever I handle my snakes, the first thing I do is put a wash rag in the bathroom sink with a little water. I set my snake in the sink and they always poo within a minute... ALWAYS.
That we we can both enjoy our visit.
Click to expand...

That's something I didn't read in the books :)
 
The snake may actually go into defensive mode. Heck, he might even think you're food. Mine will sometimes rattle his tail and jump when I touch him. Chances are that the snake will get used to the procedure and won't mind one bit. But they all have their bad days.

It's good to come in low too. They're often wary of predators coming at them from above. Maybe scoop him up with some substrate.
 
gumdrop said:
Whenever I handle my snakes, the first thing I do is put a wash rag in the bathroom sink with a little water. I set my snake in the sink and they always poo within a minute... ALWAYS.
That we we can both enjoy our visit. LOL
:grin01:
Click to expand...

One caution, make sure the overflow hole in the basin is plugged. There have been reports here on the forum of young snakes escaping down the overflow.
 
Well, your snake probably WILL go into defensive mode and become quite scared the first few times you pick it up. You described perfectly what they see, and you can't blame them for being scared. Just remember that if it strikes at you or bites...ignore it, continue picking it up, and continue handling it. It won't hurt very badly, and if you put the snake down or leave it alone after it bites, you will merely reinforce the biting as a way of avoiding being handled.

My snake still gets a little jumpy when I lift up the hide to get her. But she settles down pretty quickly once she is in my hand...
 
tyflier said:
Well, your snake probably WILL go into defensive mode and become quite scared the first few times you pick it up. You described perfectly what they see, and you can't blame them for being scared. Just remember that if it strikes at you or bites...ignore it, continue picking it up, and continue handling it. It won't hurt very badly, and if you put the snake down or leave it alone after it bites, you will merely reinforce the biting as a way of avoiding being handled.
Click to expand...

I agree. As much as we'd like to anthropomorphize(sp?) our scaly friends, they're first and foremost, reptiles, incapable of emotional attachment and expression. Through no fault of their own, they react to stimuli and respond accordingly. Our responsibility is to minimize the stimulus trigger when we have to (ie. picking them up) and maximize it when we have to (ie. feeding or breeding)

Thanks for the advice.
 
On a more positive note, as I indicated earlier, he seems to be a very docile snake, neither biting or being aggressive the few times we did handle him (at the breeders and when putting him into the tank). I just want to make sure we're doing things properly in order not to make him a biter.
 
My snake has never made a move to strike or even a sign of aggression towards me or my 2 1/2 yr old daughter. The first night we had her, she reared up in a very "cobra-esque" pattern, and flattened her head, but this was in her viv, and she hasn't done anything remotely similar since. She is extremely docile, and almost seems to crave human interaction. While she doesn't actually slither onto my hand, she doesn't move away from it either, and she settles down very readily and will "excercise" using my hands and arms as a gymnasium. Even my young daughter handles her with no issues.
 
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