My first corn

ShaneKerins · Apr 25, 2006

Hi everyone, my name is Shane. I recently acquired my first cornsnake, an adult, from a friend who is moving to Australia in a month and didn't want to put him through all the shots and quarantine procedures. She loved him, bless her!

Anyway, his name is Max and he's about 5ft 4. I just have a few questions that the old heads on here might be able to help me with.

First of all, feeding. He is fed 2 adult mice once every 10 days, one after the other. Would you recommend this continues? He seems to eat them up fine, with about a 10 minute gap in between each, and he hasn't yet regurgitated, so I'm assuming this is okay...am I wrong?

Handling is also an issue, because basically (although I've had him nearly a month) he hates me, and whenever I try to pick him up he doesn't get aggressive or anything, just desperately tries to get away. The odd time he stays still, but its pretty rare. Is this normal?

Also, when it comes to taking him out of the tank, I just don't know how to pick him up when he's all coiled under his hide! I have to try and get him to straighten out so I can pick him up with a hand at either end. Do I just sort of scoop him up, or what?

Finally - he poops on my bed! Twice when I have taken him out and put him on the bed to straighten out and move a bit, he has pooped, and to be honest, that sucks. I can understand him holding it until he's outside of his viv (you wouldn't poop in your bedroom, would you) and he doesn't have a problem going in his viv sometimes but is that a sign that he is frightened, or even that he is comfortable...i don't know.

I appreciate this is full-on beginnerness, but any help would be greatly appreciated. I love the little guy and just want him to be happy!

Thanks,

Shane

Teek · Apr 25, 2006

Hi Shane! Congrats on your new pal. Your friend made the right choice as far as caretakers go, since you obviously care very much about ol' Max.

So! I think Max's desire to flee is pretty normal—from what I've heard, some corns will tolerate being held better than others. My little girl never stops moving when she's being handled, she's always trying to find somewhere to hide.

It can be a little tricky to pick 'em up when they're coiled, huh? When I'm trying to get Seja out of her hide, I'll just gently try to get my fingers under one of her coils, and usually that gets her moving and makes it easier for me to pick her up. Not at all like my roommate's ball python, who just sits there like a lazy little cinnamon bun. :grin01:

As for the poo on your bed, the activity's probably just kickstarting his digestive system.

Whew. Someone else can answer the other stuff, I'm done. :wavey:

scarecrowking · Apr 25, 2006

Hi Shane. Congrats on getting your first corn. yeah, I said 'first'.

Don't think that he hates you just because he tries to get away. Some of mine still do the same thing, and they know me pretty well. Just try to spend at least 15 or 20 minutes a day with him, preferably more whenever you can. If he doesn't 'warm up' to you within a couple weeks of this, you may have to accept that he's just skittish around you. I have a baby hurricane caramel that absolutely despises humanity as a whole, and attempts to do me in whenever possible. Seeing how she is just over 18", it usually just comes across as cute.

Give it some time, and a lot of care and attention. You came here to ask questions, so you're already off to a good start.

Bri

Penman6668 · Apr 25, 2006

Welcome to the site!!!!!!!! There is a lot of information here. Be sure to read the FAQ section in the forums. They answer a lot of questions

My corn loves to try and poop on me. I thinks she tries to make a game of it. So far she is winning.

:-offtopic I have always wanted to visit Australia

ShaneKerins · Apr 26, 2006

Thanks a lot guys, appreciate the advice. I'll give it a go, I'm sure me and Max can have a long and happy time together!

I'll have more questions at some point, so if I come running, I'll know where to look!

Cheers, Shane

bitsy · Apr 26, 2006

Hey there Shane - welcome to the wonderful world of Corns!

I'll add an idea about feeding as nobody else has commented just yet. Sounds like your boy is full-grown now, so two adult mice every ten days is overdoing it a bit. My adults get one adult mouse every 10-14 days.

Overfeeding is a bit of a problem for us soft-hearted owners (I know - I've done it myself!) but an overweight Corn will have a shorter life with a risk of more health problems. It's best to underfeed slightly rather than overfeed, so if you can cut yours down a little I'm sure he'll feel the benefit in the long run.

I agree that you don't have to straighten them out to pick them up. Scooping them with both hands while they're curled up is fine.

Bet you won't just have the one for long!

SunnyCorn · Apr 27, 2006

I just got my first corn too! He's a creamsicle, and just a baby. I heard they arent full corns. They are half corn, half something else, maybe someone can fill in the blank for me? And he is already having problems, but I've gotten advise, and seeing it through.

Shane, congrats on your new pal.

They are so much fun even when they try to get away. Mine does it as a game, when he gets bored with it he just comes to me and slithers up my hand. He likes to get in his log where it's hard for me to get him, (the little bugger!) But i'm sure he will warm up to you, and you'll have so much fun with him.

Hope your talking to your friend, and telling her how he's doing...0.0 I know I would want that.

Do you happen to know what color he is?

-Jessica

Lennycorn · Apr 27, 2006

My first corn

ShaneKerins

New member

Teek

sleeps in a coconut

scarecrowking

New member

Penman6668

Dr. Jan Itor

ShaneKerins

New member

bitsy

Owned by Corns since 1991

SunnyCorn

No Soup For You!!

Lennycorn

Just see the truth