The first month

[DollysMom]

I'm a few days past one month of cornsnake motherhood.

I just handled Dolly. What a far cry it is from my first attempted handling where I was skittish and ended up with a terrified little snake that, I hate to admit, gave me a baby snake bite. Of course, I was more concerned for Dolly's teeth than for my finger. I had handled snakes from time to time, but never such a baby and I know I was afraid of hurting him, so I was probably even more nervous than he was.

At least it was not my first bite; I had been bitten by an adult garter snake years. This was nothing compared to that, and that wasn't much except for the fear of infection.

After that first handling mistake on my part, I decided to take it more slowly. I did the first couple of feelings in viv on the lid of the deli cup Dolly came home in. I only attempted to handle once a week and made sure it was brief and positive.

Now, I'm up to handling three or four times week and the sessions are 5 to 10 minutes once a day (no handling until his mouse meal is digested). Dolly is calm and I am calm. He doesn't try to run and his movements are slow and deliberate as are mine. I can now really examine him all over too, which I believe is important to stay ahead of any possible health issues. He has the most beautiful checkers on his belly and now I get to see them whenever I handle him.

He doesn't even posture as to strike. He doesn't run. He may not come out to greet me as I've read that some corns do, but he is entirely nice to handle.

The first week I had some doubts as to my ability interact with this little guy, especially after I didn't handle the first handling well; but now, every time I interact with him it is a happiness.

There is no real point to this post other than to share the growth and joy of this first month. A lot of people don't understand owning a snake, no less having affection towards and working with one as a pet. Here, I know it is understood.

 

[DollysMom]

Lol. The spellchecker on my iPad changed feedings to feelings. That gave that sentence a whole new meaning!

 

[smigon]

Good for you! The more you handle him the calmer and easier he will be to hold. And don't give up on the chance of him coming out to greet you, the more familiar he is to you and knowing you aren't the great big ogre you seemed like at first he will be a sweet guy.

 

[obboi34]

seems like you're doing well with her.

 

[DollysMom]

Thanks for the encouragement. I can only imagine what we humans look like to a scared baby. I definitely hope he will come out someday to greet me; but if he doesn't, he is a very nice and even tempered snake.

 

[IrishInIsengard]

I'm coming up on a month with my first corn very soon. It's so surprising how quickly I connected with the little guy. Most people think I'm crazy.

 

[DollysMom]

Congrats IrishInIsengard on your new corn. They are wonderful and amazing animals.

I've had several people tell me they won't come to my house now that I have a snake, even though I explain that it's a baby, captive bred, harmless, a pet, and it's locked in a vivarium; and they don't even have to look at my snake. I guess it all depends on the definition of crazy...

 

[smigon]

I've had several people tell me they won't come to my house now that I have a snake, even though I explain that it's a baby, captive bred, harmless, a pet, and it's locked in a vivarium; and they don't even have to look at my snake. I guess it all depends on the definition of crazy...

My sister said she will never come to my house as long as I have a snake, she has no idea how many I have but I don't think I will ever see her cross my threshold again!

 

[Obby_snake]

I've had my Hiccup for 6 months now! He's such a happy fella. Everyone loves him except for my mum and the cat!

 

[DollysMom]

Lol smigon, what she doesn't know can't hurt her.

Congrats on six months with Hiccup, Obby_snake!

 

[smigon]

I'm a few days past one month of cornsnake motherhood.

I just handled Dolly. What a far cry it is from my first attempted handling where I was skittish and ended up with a terrified little snake that, I hate to admit, gave me a baby snake bite. Of course, I was more concerned for Dolly's teeth than for my finger. I had handled snakes from time to time, but never such a baby and I know I was afraid of hurting him, so I was probably even more nervous than he was.

At least it was not my first bite; I had been bitten by an adult garter snake years. This was nothing compared to that, and that wasn't much except for the fear of infection.

After that first handling mistake on my part, I decided to take it more slowly. I did the first couple of feelings in viv on the lid of the deli cup Dolly came home in. I only attempted to handle once a week and made sure it was brief and positive.

Now, I'm up to handling three or four times week and the sessions are 5 to 10 minutes once a day (no handling until his mouse meal is digested). Dolly is calm and I am calm. He doesn't try to run and his movements are slow and deliberate as are mine. I can now really examine him all over too, which I believe is important to stay ahead of any possible health issues. He has the most beautiful checkers on his belly and now I get to see them whenever I handle him.

He doesn't even posture as to strike. He doesn't run. He may not come out to greet me as I've read that some corns do, but he is entirely nice to handle.

The first week I had some doubts as to my ability interact with this little guy, especially after I didn't handle the first handling well; but now, every time I interact with him it is a happiness.

There is no real point to this post other than to share the growth and joy of this first month. A lot of people don't understand owning a snake, no less having affection towards and working with one as a pet. Here, I know it is understood.

Sooooo, when are you getting your next one? You passed the month mile-marker, so it is time to start looking again!!! And PUH-LEESE don't say this will be your only one! Scarlett was my "only one" until a few months later and I started to rescue.

My husband called me a hoarder tonight. Worst part? I didn't deny it. Sigh.

 

[DollysMom]

Lol smigon. Well, I'm planning to start going to reptile shows soon, so who knows? Still, I really know my limits and the limits of space in my very small house so that will keep me under control.

I also have a 29 gallon tropical fish tank. I only have one fish tank because I know my personal ability to properly care for them and limited space. Even adding one snake to the mix was a big decision.

You are not a hoarder as long as you have a place for every snake and every snake is in its place. Glad you have a snake friendly hubby.

My family is generally understanding and supportive. My grown son (who is married with his own place) has had an African house snake for something like 8 or 9 years. I wanted a more colorfully patterned snake, though I love his Norm (his name not morph) dearly.

One last thing, I'm of an age that I'm aware of my snake possibly outliving me. I need to make sure that I have arrangements in place for his care if something happens to me. I don't feel old, but I still have to do the math. These things are great incentive for me to be satisfied with one, but it is oh so tempting!

 

[smigon]

One last thing, I'm of an age that I'm aware of my snake possibly outliving me. I need to make sure that I have arrangements in place for his care if something happens to me. I don't feel old, but I still have to do the math. These things are great incentive for me to be satisfied with one, but it is oh so tempting!

Wow, that is something that just reminded me of my mortality! My beasties might outlive me? I am only a year older than you, sister, but in my mind I am still 23. And I act like it, but am wiser than I was then so I just don't get caught as often!!! :nyah:

I hope they do outlive me, as well as our cats, it is just so devastating losing any of them.

 

[D'n'D]

Never occurred to me to start considering my mortality. Oups! Better get used to the forties ... I don't know, I don't feel like forty, at least not in my mind. I'm 20-something. I deal a lot with grad students in my work, and that keeps me connected to their mindsets, I guess. And I like to be a funny mommy, too.

My husband sees how passionate I became in only one month. He barely touches Elsa and I think he reads me well: I'm already looking for all kinds of morphs. Browsing to learn when and where are reptile shows. I supported him through his PhD and he promised that one day I will get a break from being the bread winner. I told him that I will need something to do, a hobby, maybe a lucrative one. So ... who knows how many I will end up having. For the moment, Elsa is enough, I'm learning as she grows. Since I have no idea about her ancestry, I am very curious about any possible hets that she may hide. And I saw some interesting morphs on this forum. Too bad that is is so expensive to import them in Canada.

 

[DollysMom]

Never occurred to me to start considering my mortality. Oups! Better get used to the forties ... I don't know, I don't feel like forty, at least not in my mind. I'm 20-something. I deal a lot with grad students in my work, and that keeps me connected to their mindsets, I guess. And I like to be a funny mommy, too.

My husband sees how passionate I became in only one month. He barely touches Elsa and I think he reads me well: I'm already looking for all kinds of morphs. Browsing to learn when and where are reptile shows. I supported him through his PhD and he promised that one day I will get a break from being the bread winner. I told him that I will need something to do, a hobby, maybe a lucrative one. So ... who knows how many I will end up having. For the moment, Elsa is enough, I'm learning as she grows. Since I have no idea about her ancestry, I am very curious about any possible hets that she may hide. And I saw some interesting morphs on this forum. Too bad that is is so expensive to import them in Canada.

I guess since the first time I made a will when my son was very small, I've been aware that something could happen to me. Whatever pets I have, I have had an idea where they will go if the unthinkable happens. I hope I make it at least to 90 like my grandma did. My son has already agreed to take Dolly if something happens to me. I think the fact that I keep reading that corns live to 20 and then I added that to my age, well it got my attention. In any case, didn't mean to be debby downer here! I don't really feel any different inside than I did in my 20s either, though I do know more from experience.

I'm guessing my little normal guy may be het something, but I'll never know because breeding is not an option for me. Isn't it interesting how fast we start to learn corn genetics. A month ago I had no idea what het even meant!

Good luck on getting more morphs bred in Canada!