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New corn snake owner

Z

Zakel2

New member
Hey - I got my very first snake about 2 weeks ago and I'm concerned that I may have not given her enough time to settle in. I was very excited when I first got her and took her out almost every day that first week for a few minutes at a time. I feed her on fridays and then leave her be for a 2-3 days before handling her again.

The thing is though she is very skittish while being picked up, and usually ends up with me grabbing her while she is trying to get away. There has been once or twice where she didn't try to run but was still a little jumpy while being brought out. After I've picked her up she usually settles down after 10-20 seconds and starts to explore and crawls all over my hands, arms, legs, sometimes she crawls right up to my face and investigates.

What I'm concerned about is that she runs or tries to get away whenever I go to pick her up - I am a very new snake owner and was too excited and thought that she would just get used to it - but after reading around I saw that I should've left her for a week or so.

Did I mess up her adjusting to new settings or will she get better in time? What could I do to improve the way I handle her or what will let her get adjusted better over time?
 
About the running, Snakes will naturally do this. She will always be a bit nervous when she is first picked up, but will calm down in more speedy times as she gets used to her. Also, how old is she? If she is very young, she will be more skittish and as she grows older should calm down. If she is eating then I wouldn't be too concerned.
 
She is roughly 12-14 inches long - the guy at the pet store said she is probably a few months old. Yes, she does act normal. She usually is in her hide or burrowed during the day and comes out in the evening to check around. She eats well, I've only noticed her poop once - but I think she now burrows down to go (Since I haven't found last weeks poop). Other than that - I don't know what normal behavior is. She hasn't shed yet and I haven't noticed any signs of her shedding soon.

But yeah, basically she avoids being picked up - and I'm just worried that since I never gave her any time to settle in that maybe she has transferred some of the stress from moving into being handled as well.
 
She sounds pretty young, & babies are generally pretty skittish, they think everything is going to try & eat them.

It is generally best to give them a week before handling them, after you first bring them home, but you cannot do anything about that now, so don't beat yourself up about it. Just keep in mind that babies can stress easier than adults, & try to minimize your handling for a little while.

Once your baby is settled in, be sure to get some pics...we love pics!
 
I definitely will get some pics xD - already have a few - but I will get some after she sheds. Thank you guys for the responses. It is a big relief to know that all will be well in time.
 
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