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Handling

M

MindUtopia

Spider-N-Snake Girl
I'll be getting my first corn in about a week and I have some questions about handling. I've never handled a snake before (unless the boa at the zoo when I was a kid counts) and I just want to make sure I'm doing it right so that I don't hurt him/her. What is the safest way to pick one up? What parts of the body need to be supported? Once I have it out, is it okay to let it crawl around on me or should I try to keep it fairly still? Is it dangerous to hold them too far off the floor in case of a fall (I know this is the case with tarantulas as a fall of more than a few inches can be fatal)? Your advice would be appreciated!

Thanks,
Karen
 
MindUtopia said:
I'll be getting my first corn in about a week and I have some questions about handling. I've never handled a snake before (unless the boa at the zoo when I was a kid counts) and I just want to make sure I'm doing it right so that I don't hurt him/her. What is the safest way to pick one up? What parts of the body need to be supported? Once I have it out, is it okay to let it crawl around on me or should I try to keep it fairly still? Is it dangerous to hold them too far off the floor in case of a fall (I know this is the case with tarantulas as a fall of more than a few inches can be fatal)? Your advice would be appreciated!

Thanks,
Karen
Click to expand...

I kinda pick my up from the Viv with one hand in the middle of the snake but then support with two hands. Do not pick up by tip of tail. Most corn don't stay still too support it at one particular spot. They tend to keep moving so you put one hand under the other to support the snake. Most like to crawl up your arm or around your hand and/or arm. You won't be able to keep it still. As far a snake falling mine seem to always to hang on to me somehow. So it's not a big issue. When pickinf my snake up after a feed to return to Viv , I try not to pick it up where the lump is . But that about it.

Your main problem now is choosing one out. There so many choices out there. Good luck with that part Ha! Ha!
You might as well get two to start with too say you time.
 
How to handle a snake

Hi Karen and welcome to the crazy world of corns! The best way to handle a corn is to open the cage, don't hesitate, scoop it up if it is coiled, or if stretched out, pick it up from the middle of the body. Don't grasp the snake once it is in your hand. Let it crawl around your hand putting one hand in front of the other letting the snake think it is going somewhere. Try not to make any Jerky movements. Try holding it over its enclosure the first few times to get a feel for how it moves to protect against falls. A relatively short drop can, but not always, cause problems. Good luck with your new snake and post us some pics!
 
when i first got mine i was a little nervous the first times...so when i went to pick em up (they were in their hides) i just waited till they uncoiled and picked them up...also try not to pick them up by their head or close to it. And your corn will probably try to run away from you the first times you pick him/her up as well :p Also try to give your corn some time to settle in before you handle him/her (i waited about 5 days, some do more and some do less) also dont handle your snake after you have fed it...let it rest for 2 days.
 
Something important also, all snakes need to feel supported. If the snake feels that he or she is not supported they'll whip around violently trying to hold something so that it feels secure. Don't be afraid when it happens, just get another hand quickly under the heaviest part of the snake that you aren't holding. Alot of times when you pick it up by the middle from the viv it'll whip its tail around trying to wrap it on your arm. As soon as you get it high enough support its head with your other hand. Corns are unbelievabley friendly.
 
Don't be discouraged if your snake seems to freak out the first few times either. My new male, Hunter, is a bit of a spaz when I first pick him up hehe... I swear hes trying to leap from my hands! But hes calming down quickly =)

Welcome to the addiction hehe
 
Be careful if a young snake tries to crawl up your bare arm. Mine ALWAYS tries to and he often slips. Usually he'll catch himself with his tail on my fingers, but once he fell. (luckily I caught him).

And don't take your eyes off the snake even if you're holding it. When they're small they can crawl out of your hand without you even feeling it.
 
I second Ernie's post, mine was a real wriggler as a baby and was difficult to handle, though I loved it :). When they're young you can just go right in and grab 'em (gently, of course, and if you can 'scoop' them up from underneath do so). Hesitation's no good at this stage, just jump in there.

Don't handle right after feeding, don't take any notice of rattling tails, and be careful of him/her trying to fly :)

Enjoy your snake!
 
Hunter tries to fly.. its amazing! Who ever said you need legs to jump never held a snake hehe.
 
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