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Taming my corn

whiffin

whiffin

Just Another Member
Okay, Suzy (my corn) is 12-13 weeks old. I've had him for 2-3 of them. After initial settling in period I've handled him a bit (every 2-4 days). As he's scared I've kept all handling in his viv (about 12"x9"x8" at the mo) - this was recommended by the reptile shop where I got him.

I don't handle before and 24 hrs after food and he eats twice a week - very large appetite. He'll happily come out and look around and climb in viv (and sleep on top of hiding place) in the evenings. When I handle him I try and actually lift him up (not squeeze him though, more of a scoop). I handle him from head to tail, and let him slither all over me. He's never tried to bite. I try not and be too fast, but don't move too slowly either.

He vary's from sitting in my hand, to being VERY scared and slithering away under his hiding place - it varies (sometimes second to second). Sometimes he's defensive and sometimes he doesn't seem to bothered. He's hasn't yet "enjoyed" being handled or come up to me.

....

Anyway, what advice is there to get him liking me without scaring him too much?

Should I handle him daily, or even less than I am?

Should I try and take him out of viv (don't want to lose him as I'll never get him)?

How long should it take before he trusts me, and how long before he actually comes to me? (are we talking days/weeks/months/years?)

Cheers, and sorry for long post ...

A
 
try putting a t-shirt or some item of clothing that you have worn (so smells of you) into his tank for several days. This will let him get used to you scent and he wont view you as a potential predator. As for how often you should handle him I'd say frequently for short periods of time so as not to stress him out. If you feel safer handling him in his viv then go ahead. I handled my new snakes in a big cardboard box so if they flung themselves away at least they couldnt go far! Hope that helps!
Rachel
 
It's not about being scared (after all, his head is tiny) I just don't wanna drop or lose him as I'll never be able to find him in the mess in my house!

A T shirt is probably too small big for the viv, so I've got some fabric from an old shirt and will tie that around my chain for a few days to make it smell of me

Good advice - many thanks

A
 
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