• Hello!

    Either you have not registered on this site yet, or you are registered but have not logged in. In either case, you will not be able to use the full functionality of this site until you have registered, and then logged in after your registration has been approved.

    Registration is FREE, so please register so you can participate instead of remaining a lurker....

    Please be certain that the location field is correctly filled out when you register. All registrations that appear to be bogus will be rejected. Which means that if your location field does NOT match the actual location of your registration IP address, then your registration will be rejected.

    Sorry about the strictness of this requirement, but it is necessary to block spammers and scammers at the door as much as possible.

Newer owner, tail tremors

R

redhairs

New member
I've had my corn for about 3 months now, and have noticed that when feeding the tail tremors not unlike a rattle snake's. Now I assume this is normal for this species of snake, but why do they do this and what other species are they related to that also shakes it's tail? I'm hoping that aren't related to rattlers. I'm finding them to be fascinating and at least a great deal less aromatic than the garters I use to have. Thanks. :confused:
 
Last edited:
Don't worry they do that when they are startled or frightened. It's a warning, that's all. Most are all bluff.
 
They rattle when they are afriad....
nothing much to worry about.

Some of mine still does this but haven't even bitten me once before....they are cute ones when they do that...
 
One of mine used to do this all the time she was quite the fiesty one..bit me 3 times but she has since calmed down she so very sweet!! Just give it time and besides it really is cute!
 
Corns vibrate their tails as a warning when they are scared or a bit peeved. In the wild, the snake would probably be sorrounded by leaves or similar so the movement of the tail would make a sound not unlike a rattler. Several species imitate rattlers and it can sometimes be a prelude to striking so it's not a god idea to mess with a snake if it does this. However, it's perfectly normal and nothing to worry about. :D :D .
 
Very common colubrid behavior...

and as everyone said, usually a threat display.

As far as the corn's relationship to rattlesnakes... well, they are both snakes but that is about as close as it comes. They are closer evoluntionarily than to boas but you don't have a need to worry... no venom...

Actually, most species of Rattlesnakes are quite timid and gentle and very beautiful snakes... :)
 
Yeah, the new Caramel male I got from Rich on Friday did it to me yesterday... totally freaked me out cuz his tail was at the sides of the tub with the aspen all around... so it DID sound kinda like a rattle, lol.

Scared the crap outta me when it happened, I thought someone was hiding out in the porch with us ;)

But I've heard of corns and other species doing this before, so when I finally spotted it was his tail doin' the tappin' (dim light, heh), I relaxed again... even though he did get into a bit of a strike pose. He kinda half-heartedly lunged at me a coupla times, but not a real strike like he was going for it, so never actually bit me.

I guess when they're that size though, they're more afraid of you than you are of them, and only really bite in self defence (I think they've got more sense than to think this ~6ft tall mammal is dinner) ;)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top