Rattling Tail and Striking

[tovah]

So this might sound like a newbie question but it's better to ask.

So I have had my corn snake for a couple months now, and I want to know if there is an easier way for feeding? I currently put the mouse in a box, then put Houdini (my snake) in it. Everything is fine, but then the struggle starts. When I try to get him back in his tank he strikes and rattles his tail (which is an interesting sight but that's besides the point). I have found a semi easier way to get him back. I take his tube hide and wait for him to crawl in there. It worked the first few times but now he is striking the tube.:realhot: Is there anyway to get him back in his cage without him being as aggressive? Thanks for the help.

p.s sorry if this was put in the wrong place, I just didn't know where else to put it haha.

 

[Chip]

I don't feed high strung snakes outside of their enclosure. Sounds to me like it would be easier on everybody to just feed that one in the cage. http://www.cornsnakes.com/forums/showthread.php?t=138567

 

[DuxorW]

Some people seem to be worried about ingestion of substrate. I use sanichips, and I have a hard time believing ingesting them could be harmful. They practically dissolve when they get into the water bowl! But there is always the deli cup method.

 

[haley.byrne.5]

He just rattled his tail to let you know that he's just not in the mood if you want to still take him out put a sock or 2 over your hand if he still does it even if you are holding him give him some time to get used to you too. I've always fed mine in the viv he stays in, he's so so tame and he never strikes ever. I'm so proud of him. He doesn't even strike at his food but yeah the tail rattle is just to let you know he's not really in the mood

 

[Nanci]

That's pretty normal for a baby. He's just afraid. Are you afraid of getting bitten by him? Because you can just pick him up and put him back...

 

[Shortbread]

I would choose something to feed him in that you can easily just tip sideways and let him crawl back into the enclosure himself. I have a 2 gallon bucket that I feed in. When it is done eating I just tip it so it can climb down into its cave. I know that with my python you don't want to get near his face after he's eaten because his strike response has been triggered. But anyway, if you find that in general he is nippy try putting more plants in his viv (cover helps their stress level go down long term), and just use fluid movements when picking him up. Don't react at all to the striking and just act like it's not happening. He'll see that striking does no good.

 

[smigon]

How long are you waiting after he eats to put him back in his viv? I would give him a couple of hours and then slide him in from the feeding bin like Shortbread suggested.

And you do need to start handling him as often as you can except for the few days after he eats and when he is in blue. Just reach in, scoop from underneath, make sure you cup from under him so he feels secure and just let him move from hand to hand.

You have to do this with assertion, if you are nervous, he will know. If you go in and just scoop him up he won't know what hit him, and then he will associate your hands with something good, like getting held or fed.

Oh, and the tail rattling is just DARLING! I have several who are SO protective of their food (I feed in the vivs) that even when I am working on the viv next to his he is still rattling and staring me down. Oooh, big, bad, SCARY little snake!

 

[tovah]

Its not that I'm afraid to get bit, I just don't want to jump a little. I can be a little jumpy sometimes is just normal life haha. I just don't like handling him after he just ate. I do hold him as much as I can and he is a sweetheart. He likes to wrap around my hand and explore my arms. I did try putting his feeding box in his viv and let him just crawl out on his own, which worked fine. Thanks for all the help.