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striking at me!

R

rojapo

New member
Hi, this is my first post and I'm a new snake owner. Sid is my corn snake, he's my first snake and we've had him for about a month now. He's about 16weeks old. He eats well every week. He is easy to handle and my children enjoy him.
However, last night he shed his skin. This is the first time for us. He seems to of done a good job. I opened his enclosure and attempted to pick him up as I usually do but he struck at me! He's never done this before now I'm scared to pick him up! I did try to pick him up again but he kept turning towards my hand like he was going to strike again.
What should I do?
 
go ahead and pick him up. It's not going to hurt if he bites. Inspect his eyes closely and make sure when he shed that his eye caps came off too. He may be having a hard time seeing you if they didn't. Also, I don't know how long it's been since he ate, but a lot of snakes are hungry after shedding, especially if they skipped a meal or two. He may be thinking you're trying to feed him.

At any rate, if you are timid about handling him, he can sense that, and will continue to strike at you because he gets the response he wants. (Kind of like a kid throwing a tantrum and then the parent giving in). Go ahead and pick him up, and if he bites, it's not going to hurt. Don't jerk your hand away, as that could actually hurt the snake more than you.
 
So you dont think theres any particular reason he struck at me?
I fed him last week so incase he was hungry after shedding ive fed him today. Ill leave him a couple of days and try again. I'll just go for it!
He really made me jump today, hes never done it before. Will it hurt if he bites when hes fully grown?
 
Shouldn't hurt that much if at all even when grown up. Like a pinch. You may bleed a bit but just make sure to wash the wound in that case.

Well going from what I've read of course.
 
rojapo said:
So you dont think theres any particular reason he struck at me?
I fed him last week so incase he was hungry after shedding ive fed him today. Ill leave him a couple of days and try again. I'll just go for it!
He really made me jump today, hes never done it before. Will it hurt if he bites when hes fully grown?
Click to expand...

Welcome !
Sometimes they stay in protection mode for a few days after a shed
Try to avoid feeding during the shed cycle. Most don't have an issue feeding during the shed issue just because of timing. If the snake is in the first 2 phases (blue & clear) and fed then they have time to digest before the 3rd phase of actual shedding. If fed close to the actual shed phase then the snake will have no choice but to regurge in order to constrict and expand the skin off. Just a FYI :)
Does it hurt to get bit ? Everything's relative LOL. Over the years I've been bit by everything from colubrid hatchlings to large constrictor snakes and also large lizards. To be bit by a 16 week old corn will hurt but it's more like "ouch, oh well no big deal". As an adult their teeth are very sharp and can draw a lot of blood depending on the severity of the bite. It only hurts for an instant if they strike and let go. Again no big deal :)
 
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