Just wondering how the seasoned corn snake professionals amongst you handle your snakes? Do you keep hold of them or do you let them roam around the house? I don't do that because my corn is still small and there are too many places she could vanish to, but I've heard of people who just let their snakes go wherever they want. I want to be sure I'm doing the right thing by my pet. Thanks!
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How do you handle?
- Thread starter LouiseB
- Start date
ssmith_1187
In the land of Cheeeeeese
I am by no means a "seasoned corn snake professional"...but I always keep a hold of Roxanne when handling her.
Why...because I don't want to spend an hour digging her out of a sofa bed and for fear of hurting her while doing so.
Regards,
Steve
Why...because I don't want to spend an hour digging her out of a sofa bed and for fear of hurting her while doing so.
Regards,
Steve
insomniac101
Occupant
I would guess that people do different things, but I don't let mine out on the floor. Our heat vents are on the floor in most rooms. Of course, they are covered with grates, but snakes can fit in surprisingly small openings. I usually hold mine, or put them around my shoulders. I have an empty Boaphile cage that is pretty big. It normally houses one of my large pythons that is out on breeding loan right now. I will let my corns wander around in there while I am cleaning their cages. There is a perch mounted in the cage that they enjoy climbing on.
Kathy
Kathy
I usually just let them go everywhere just on body but every now and then I will let them out on the floor AND FOLLOW THEM and INCH behind and if I see even a hint of the snake going somewhere I would not want it to it is right back in my hands. I let my beardie road around my room freely but she usually just ends up climbing on top of the chinchilla cage and just resting there.
Snake Dave
Schrödinger's cat
Usually, I'll just handle Salazar using my hands by letting him roam freely between each finger, using each finger like a branch on a tree. Sometimes I'll let him go on my bed for a moment so I can see how long he is when he's stretched out, but I'll always be right behind him, and I'll scoop him up if he makes a dash for the foot of the bed :grin01:
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SnakeLover08
New member
When I handle Lily I never let her on the floor as there are to many places for her to get lost and plus we have 2 dogs that roam around the house.
diamondlil
Mice! They taste so nice!
http://cornsnakes.com/forums/showthread.php?t=45180&highlight=harness
For all your wandering snake problems!:rofl:
For all your wandering snake problems!:rofl:
Susielea
Lily
tricksterpup
I has nuttin to Say.
I have learned my trade from the Roy Munson school of hand modeling.
Wee one.
And an adult
Wee one.
And an adult
JustineNYC
New member
I dont let mine out on the floor either. I also own cats and dogs....but I do let Suri out on my bed. I close my door so theres no animals in my bedroom and let her crawl around on there. Usually she just crawls back over to me. I dont know why I trust her more then my other snakes, I just know she isnt going to bolt.
Wylie
Meet Sparkle... :D
LOL. That actually didn't surprise me but I certainly never saw anything like it before! I guess there's a harness for every critter, hehe. I used to put my rabbits on harnesses too.
I love to handle my snake only one time he got comfy and pooped on me!
How very naughty of him!
But its lovely spending time with them
My advice is you do not get them out when they are about to shed or after they have had their food!
They probally will get ready to snap
But do not be put of, you will enjoy handling them
When they are babies it is best to handle them everyday so they get used to you, that way they will snap less when they are older
How very naughty of him!
But its lovely spending time with them
My advice is you do not get them out when they are about to shed or after they have had their food!
They probally will get ready to snap
But do not be put of, you will enjoy handling them
When they are babies it is best to handle them everyday so they get used to you, that way they will snap less when they are older
Snake Dave
Schrödinger's cat
As Connor said, please don't handle for 48 hours after feeding. They're less likely to snap after they've just eaten (apart from about 20 - 30 minutes afterwards, since they're still in feeding mode), because they feel lethargic, and to aid escape, most of the time they'll regurge as they'll be lighter and more nimble.
You're right about handling when in shed, just think of it like slapping a human with sunburn all over their body repeatedly.
If you have a young hatchling, I wouldn't handle everyday. Not just for the regurge factor (although that's a MAJOR issue), but they stress very easily at that age. 5 - 10 minutes a couple of times a week, 48 hours after feeding is enough. Cornsnakes are naturally docile, and even those that haven't been handled much throughout their life are reluctant to bite. As he gets older you can gradually increase the handling time, but still adhere to the '48 hour rule'.
All the best
David
Roy Munson
New member
I don't know about that, David. I don't know if their skin is any more sensitive during or just after shed. It doesn't seem that way to me. And even though it makes sense that snakes are usually nippier in blue when their vision is impaired, I haven't found this to be the case with corns. In fact, even my most evil corns tend to be at their most mellow when they're in blue. :shrugs: The same cannot always be said for the kings, milks, or boas...
Snake Dave
Schrödinger's cat
I don't know about that, David. I don't know if their skin is any more sensitive during or just after shed. It doesn't seem that way to me. And even though it makes sense that snakes are usually nippier in blue when their vision is impaired, I haven't found this to be the case with corns. In fact, even my most evil corns tend to be at their most mellow when they're in blue. :shrugs: The same cannot always be said for the kings, milks, or boas...
I agree with you most definately about the vision aspect of the shedding process Dean, but I do believe that the skin is soft and vulnerable to damage during this time. What I mean is that if the old, outer skin is rubbing against the new skin, it might be slightly painful. Just a theory, of course.
But I'll leave you to make the judgements, you're the expert.
All the best
David
patm1313
Pyromaniac
I let mine crawl over my bed, with my fingers less then an inch above his body so if he gets any ideas he won't go anywhere.
I handle my corn about 3 times a week, and he seems to love it. He loves my smell!
I agree that you should not let him around the house, as there is over a million places a corn could put him/herself in danger or get hidden.
I handle my corn about 3 times a week, and he seems to love it. He loves my smell!
I agree that you should not let him around the house, as there is over a million places a corn could put him/herself in danger or get hidden.
Roy Munson
New member
Expert? Where? :grin01: I could be wrong-- I've just never noticed corns to be in a heightened state of irritation or anything like that when in blue or freshly shed. However, I wouldn't slather my hands with hot pepper sauce and salt before handling at these times either.