Coward and bitchy corn

TerrorFox · 09-27-04, 07:40 PM

Okay I got a baby corn a couple days ago and when I try to pick it up it runs away. and when I manage to pick it up it gets all squirmy and then when I put it down it shakes its tail around. wtf?

reptiguy420 · 09-27-04, 07:43 PM

i got a 100% het bci male who does the EXACT same thing after i picked it up it flipped out on me and tried to get away i put the little %^$# down and he wiggled the tip of his tail back and forth like a worm.....but after a few weeks "herp time" he calmed down now he just poops on me...good luck!

TerrorFox · 09-27-04, 07:44 PM

You mean a few weeks of picking it up and such? Its a Jungle corn btw.

bighillreptiles · 09-27-04, 07:58 PM

think in the snaks terms some one 10000 times bigger than you trys to pick you up what are you going to do?, untill you know that that thing is not going to hurt you and treat you with respect lol that is normal for all baby snakes .With a litte time and handeling he or she should calm down and if not look at the beauty of the snake and look at what it is a beautiful reptile. Take your time rome was not bilt in a day Paul

HeatherRose · 09-27-04, 08:15 PM

It's a wild animal. You're way bigger than it, and it's scared of you...patience, frequent handling and the understanding that it's only reacting on instinct is how you'll fix this problem.

Linds · 09-27-04, 08:48 PM

Corns will rattle their tails to give the illusion of being a rattlesnake in an effort to ward off potential predators. Many other colubrids display this behaviour as well. Boa constrictors will use their tails as a lure, which is what the worm-like motion is. They will also wag their tails much like a dog when they are really worked up.

Give your little corn a while to settle in before you start handling it. As Heather said, it's a wild animal and is reacting on instinct. It hasn't become used to people and everything will seem very threatening until he gets used to his surroundings. Time, patience, and gentle persistance should eventually help your snake to relax.

TerrorFox · 09-27-04, 08:50 PM

alright then thanks.

ydnic · 09-27-04, 08:50 PM

I have 7 corns and 3 jungle corns - 2 of the three jungles are like that - I think thats just how they are I think they are more defensive than corns
But thats just my opion not a text book knowledge or anything

gonesnakee · 09-27-04, 08:57 PM

Just to state the fact it is 1/2 Corn 1/2 California King thus JungleCorn, just so no one gets confused. it definitely sounds like its acting like a baby CK LOL As already stated the little one sees you as a big threat & until it gets more used to you it will continue to treat you as a predator. This is standard defensive behaviour for baby CKs & sometimes baby Corns & Jungle Corns too. Gentle short periods of handling over time should cure this "problem" for you once the snake comes to realize that you are no threat to it. How'd you like to be "manhandled" by a giant? LOL Good Luck with the new little one, Mark

ultimatecorns · 09-28-04, 12:14 AM

If you want your snake to stop pooping or biting you when you hold it then yo have to teach it. Yes, weird, but if every time you hold it and it poops on you, bites you, etc. if you put it down, then it learnsthat bad behavior gets it away from you. Whenever it misbehaves, you need to hold it for 5-10 min after each misbehavior, this is not cumalitive, but make sure it is really calm before putting the snake away. Just keep holding it as often as its eating schedule and your schedule prohibits. After a little while it will learn that bad behavior doesnt work and will stop that behavior. Good luck!

zero&stich · 09-28-04, 03:01 PM

Quote:

if you put it down, then it learnsthat bad behavior gets it away from you. Whenever it misbehaves, you need to hold it for 5-10 min after each misbehavior, this is not cumalitive, but make sure it is really calm before putting the snake away. Just keep holding it as often as its eating schedule and your schedule

In my opinion this suggestion is a BIG NONO! If any animal tags ya, displays offensive behavior leave it alone. You cannot teach a reptile the difference between "good" and "bad". We are not dealing with a puppy here. You cannot "Scold" a herp. More inapporate handling means a more stressed animal and resulting in a figgity herp that, yes, may deliver more strikes but the more important thing:Prolonged feeding problems.
In my opinion, handling should be VERY minimal. Handling should only been excercised to move the animal or to clean the enclosure. However comin across an animal that is not used to handling and needs to be tamed, yes, minor handling can be done but for short periods of time and only when the animal is "Settled-in".

At home, I handle my pythons maybe 5-15 minutes if that.
Just had to chime in because I believe that advice was absolutly false.
One other thing I'd like to point out. These animals are not "pets". You have the privilage of seeing these animals up close amd in person. They deserve the upmost respect, even a Garter deserves the same respect as you would give the large pythons.

HeatherRose · 09-28-04, 03:58 PM

I agree wholeheartedly with Jess.

Some of the advice here is just silly...I've worked with many types of animals, and 'scolding' or 'disciplining' just doesn't apply. These aren't dogs.

Animals don't MISBEHAVE. They react on instinct and can always be unpredictable, no matter what you do to 'train' or 'tame' them. Several of my trips to the hospital can attest to this.

Come on guys, geez.

zero&stich · 09-28-04, 05:41 PM

Thank you Heather. And UltimateCorn, as I did with Fox, I would suggest at least 1 book on basic corn husbantry also. If your in the business to sell corns, I also suggest to learn as much as you can absorb.

ultimatecorns · 09-28-04, 05:42 PM

OK. You do it your way and dont handle your animals at all and not enjoy them cause they crap on you and bite you. Mine do not bite me because I have domesticated them. Whats the point of having an irritable snake? Animals do misbehave for a human's pet expectations, therefore something should be done to try to let them know that you aren't going to harm them! I have over 500 Cornsnakes and a dozen Emoryis, believe me I know what I'm talkin about when I am giving advice on handling a snake.

zero&stich · 09-28-04, 06:04 PM

No offense sir but owning 10 zillion herps doesn't amount to the years of experience. This gentleman is very new to the herp world and to give advice such as that demeans anyone to take a person seriousally.

I have worked with many different species of reptiles not as much as my friend who actually has worked with venmoids, but I also know what I'm refering about. I cant give the name cause he asked me to remove it. Hes a member on this forum.

For the record, there is no such thing as a domesticated herp. They reley on sole instincts. Cats and dogs are domesticated. They learn to obey comands. Try telling your herps to "sit and stay". You will be tagged or have an animal strike eventually. That is their nature. Some species yes, are more toleratenat to handling and the corn can be concidered as one becuase of their calm demeanor. That is why most concider corns to be a "beginner snake".

As for having an irrate snake, welcome to the herp world! Every animal you encounter will have problems and thats the fun of this hobby to learn from that. Or we all be bored with "friendly snakes".

This is just my .02.
Always,
Jess