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Snake Phobia :: Help.

C

cornsnake_kidz

New member
Well I got a red corn snake a few months ago as a gift from a relative. I was not scared of it at first but now I am to frighten to even put my hands near it. I havent touched it ever since I got it, its grown pretty long now. Been feeding it once every week, the only time I touched it was when I had to clean out the tank its in (very large tank) It has not bitten me but has striked at my hands once. Should I just give it away? :shrugs:
Opinions please. How do I overcome this and will the snakes behavier change if there is not continues handling?
 
Simply put, the more you handle the snake, the more acclimated it becomes to being handled. It's a matter of overcoming your fear.

Good luck.

regards,
jazz
 
I will wholeheartedly admit, I was loathe to touch snakes...I only remember touching one once before, in Brownies, when I was about 7 & I touched a boa constrictor. It took for everyone else to touch her before I finally would...since then, I became a 2nd gr teacher and soon discovered that I have to be open to all the gross things that I once shirked...granted, I do a lot more than most 2nd gr teachers will do, but how do I expect my kids to not be afraid if I am? So, I battled my insect fear -- we did the darkling beetle life cycle (mealworms) -- and soon all of my kids were holding mealworms like nothing at all, and now snakes.

When I brought my Maizie home, I was nervous to take her out of her tank, but I knew that if I didn't, she'd lose any tolerance for me holding her, and I want a snake that will sit as comfortably around my shoulders as I saw on a little 3-year old girl at my local herp society meeting. :) I figured, if a 3-year old can do it, so can I! :) Also, I know that animals can sense fear, so I have to *force* confidence from myself...I just try to keep my hand's approach as smooth as I can toward the snake, with the idea in mind that it doesn't have the best eye sight, so I try to imitate how I've seen other snake owners handle their snakes (obviously, herp society members!).

If it strikes, it strikes -- whoop de doo. My cats have bitten me, my leopard geckos have bitten me, in fact, when baby-sitting, kids have bitten me. I'd rather be bitten by a snake than a kid, in all fairness! However, today I was marvelling at how much like silk it felt to have the snake move about between my fingers and on my hands...it's fascinating. :) To watch it, to really examine its body...wow.

Part of my "fear" is still there; I don't want to be bitten, but I also understand that should it happen, it's simply a natural response on the snake's behalf to protect itself...and I live & learn, and hopefully it won't happen again. In fact, it will make me more determined to not repeat the same mistake...I know that I have a long way toward getting a snake to sit comfortably on my shoulders, but with my lil'guy (or girl, who knows yet), I'm just going to keep trying. :) You really will be missing out on the best part of the snake if you don't try. Sure, they're beautiful, but to actually be able to touch it & have it trust you? That's more than amazing to me. :)

Good luck. :)

Christina
 
I find that I am more confortable with smaller snakes at my local pet shop. I don't think and don't feel comfortable handling my very long/large snake, I plan on donating it to a reptile habitat center or give it to someone responsible. And perchase a smaller snake at which I can handle with out fear.
 
cornsnake_kidz said:
I find that I am more confortable with smaller snakes at my local pet shop. I don't think and don't feel comfortable handling my very long/large snake, I plan on donating it to a reptile habitat center or give it to someone responsible. And perchase a smaller snake at which I can handle with out fear.
Click to expand...

And what will you do when that one grows? Give it away and get another hatchling? Seriously, if you are that afraid of snakes, perhaps they aren't the pets for you.

How long is the one you have now?
 
BeckyG said:
And what will you do when that one grows? Give it away and get another hatchling? Seriously, if you are that afraid of snakes, perhaps they aren't the pets for you.

How long is the one you have now?
Click to expand...
I agree with this post. Not to insult you in any way, but I really don't think snakes are for you if you are not able to get over your fear. It doesn't mean you are inferior or anything, just not snake owner material.
 
I checked out a couple of sites on Rubber Boas, and it made me think: smaller is not always better, nor is it easier. When I was first thinking of getting a snake, it's because I fell for a Kenyan sand boa. Really cute little thing, and I thought, "Wow, seems to stay small, and cute..." Then, I got to talking with some local herpetologists and they told me, "First snake? Kenyan sand boa? No way. You want a corn snake." Yes, they do get longer, but they also have the easiest-going temperament (in general) and they're easy to care for...really, maybe a snake *isn't* for you. I wanted a snake, too, and I'm trying this all out myself for the first time...sure, I'm nervous, because 1) I don't want to be bitten (which is inevitable) and & 2) I want to do everything right. However, if you really want something reptilian, why not a leopard gecko? I started with them and they're sweetly fun. :) Or, I did see -- and I don't know if this is a good suggestion or not -- but there are legless lizards. http://www.anapsid.org/legless.html They look like snakes, but they're lizards -- and they blink. I never realized how weird it was to see that until I actually noticed it. http://www.uga.edu/srel/legless_lizard.htm http://www.wnyherp.org/care-sheets/lizards/sheltopusik.php Maybe this helped?
 
cornsnake_kidz said:
I find that I am more confortable with smaller snakes at my local pet shop. I don't think and don't feel comfortable handling my very long/large snake, I plan on donating it to a reptile habitat center or give it to someone responsible. And perchase a smaller snake at which I can handle with out fear.
Click to expand...

If you're giving away a snake because it's getting too big. Don't bother buying another one. It'll only grow up as well. That's like buying a puppy and dumping it in a shelter 5 months later. Or having a kid and giving it up for adoption when it hits 5. Maybe it would be better if you found your snake a good home, and then bought yourself a guppy. Not a goldfish... they get too big. Just a guppy.
 
hahhahaah ahahaha aha haah ahahaha a hahahahahah ahahah :flames: :bang: :sidestep: :bang: :rolleyes: :-offtopic :santa: :grin01: :cool: :shrugs:
 
snake phobia

ya know, at first I thought I'd be scared of casper (my new baby corn snake). but, I'm not. and I just want to hold him all day! :dancer:
 
i'd listen to Cegninedorf. that's some sound advice. i've got two corns, and their temperment is amazing. i've had boa's too. you could also just have a fiesty snake. it happens, even in corns. it's up to you if you want to not keep it. but if you don't keep this one, i would not advise getting another. it's just not a smart thing to do. if snakes are not for you, that's ok. i'm sure you will find a pet that makes you happy, and you enjoy taking care of.

best of luck.
 
heres my advice:

I got my first snake in 01 or 02. My sister was 7 or 8 at the time, and liked the looks of my snake, but didnt want to hold it. I got her some nice thick gloves that i was sure the snake couldnt bite through. She wore both gloves the first time she held the snake. The second time she wanted to touch the snake with her bare hands to see what it feels like (this time she wore one glove). Now she handles my snakes with no problem.

Overall, try handling your snake with a pair of gloves to get used to it. You'll be fine. Also, if your nervous about initially getting the snake out of its cage, first get it uncoiled. It wont look so intimidating when its not coiled and possibly in the strike position.

Hope something helps.
 
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