• 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.

Picking up hatchlings (opinions)

Neumann

Neumann

New member
We've been working with our Okeetee and I've made an observation that I would like to share and get some opinions on.

I now believe it's less stressful to 'surprise' our Okeetee when picking her up rather than to wait until evening when she's out on the prowl. Whenever I pick her up when she's out and about she goes nuts with fear and is difficult to calm down.

By contrast, whenever I lift up her hide during sleeping hours, and pick her up by surprise, she's very relaxed, starts to move slowly, and displays a generally more mellow attitude about the event.

How do you experienced herpers 'snatch' your hatchlings. Do you wait for them to come out, or do you surprise them?

Cheers,
Jason
 
Neumann: I'm new to the hobby, but I've made the same observation about my little Miami. But I'm wondering how much of it has to do with how lethargic they are, and how much energy they feel like expending on a startled motion. Oh well. Seems to work. Also, if I scoop him up in one hand full, as opposed to picking him up somewhere along the body, he seems to relax easier.
 
hookfacedone said:
Do they ever strike
Click to expand...

Neither our Anery or our Okeetee has ever struck at us. I believe flight is a much stronger instinctive response. They're just afraid of being eaten. Most Corns settle down with time and some gentle/respectful handling.
 
Snakes metabolism slows down when resting just like other animals. So they are not as alert during these times. It is best to pick them up from the side if at all possible. Grabing them from over head is the same direction a Predator would strike from. IMHO
 
My miami struck at my 8 year old sister when I first brought him home - but that's completely understandable. I think there's something about 8 year olds that terrifies everyone. He was really head shy when I first got him, but with handling, he's gotten so much better, and now is very mellow and seems to enjoy being handled to a certain extent.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top