Before you pick up your corn snake, make sure it’s awake by gently tapping it with a paper towel roll or stroking its body with a snake hook. Once the snake is in your hands and out of its enclosure, hold it close to your body and gently guide its movements with your hands. This is more of a question of whether or not snakes mind being pet. If your snake is in shed, hold off on corn snake handling. This usually takes about 2 weeks, but you shouldn’t start handling until it’s eating regularly. ReptiFiles is not a veterinary website, nor is the author Mariah Healey a veterinarian. These snakes have also been known to enter abandoned buildings in search of rodents. Another pro that I saw frequently listed on various snake websites was the small size of a Corn Snake. They are a little fast as babies but slow right down as they get used to being held. Many people do handle their pet snakes frequently so they will become accustomed to it and less likely to bite/flee. Whenever someone shows interest in becoming a snake owner and asks us which species we recommend, we tell them the corn snake. Just like any other animals, baby corn snakes require special attention due to their size and fragility. Age of the snake. 1 decade ago. The Corn Snake (Pantherophis guttatus), or Red Rat Snake, is a North American species of Rat Snake that subdues its small prey by constriction. They can be a bit nervous when first being handled. This risks ripping out its teeth, which can result in a nasty infection on the snake’s part. Corn snakes are most active around dusk and dawn, and are cute to boot. These scenarios can be mitigated by learning the signs of a defensive snake, and by washing your hands before handling the snake. Most snakes like to hide, more so during the day if they’re a nocturnal type of snake. Corn snakes are extremely popular as pets. Approach with caution. With their docile temperaments and their reluctance to bite, it’s not surprising that corn snakes are very easy to handle. Also signals that the snake is awake. Corn snakes like to explore, so expect it to start climbing up your arms. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window), Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window). Научете повече за начините, по които използваме вашата информация, в нашата Политика за поверителност и Политика относно бисквитките. If you want to learn how to help your pet snake (be it a corn snake or a ball python) become accustomed to you quicker, feel free to read on. Wait until your pet has shed its skin, then resume regular handling. I think this is only partially true. And why not? Corn snake handling should occur least 1-2x weekly, but no more than once daily. Tail shaking/rattling: Snake feels threatened and is trying to scare away the perceived predator. If the snake doesn’t “strike and release,” resist the urge to yank it off of you. They do not get very large, they are commonly available, they are docile, they are not too picky about their environment or their food and there are a lot of cool corn snake morphs, like the snow corn snake.. 3. This will help it realize that it’s handling time, not food time. A snake “in the blue” will appear to have bluish, cloudy eyes, which means it may be extra defensive because it can’t see well. Feel free to handle your snake as much or as little as you want. As mentioned earlier, like most snakes, Corn Snakes are still carnivorous and may be agitated when handled carelessly. Corn Snakes Like To Burrow. Be sure to support the snake well while holding and do not quickly force the snake in one direction or the other. These snakes are red-brown to orange, typically with dark red-black blotches, but a variety of colors can be found in many captive-bred snakes. Rats and mice came to the corn crib to feed on the corn, and Corn Snakes came to feed on the rodents. The rest is explained here. Native to the United States, they can be found in terrestrial habitats. Photo by Natalie Barrett. At the end of the day, respect your snake’s mood. Corn snakes can be considered a friendly species of snake, that can be regularly handled and held. Corn Snakes are the easiest to handle. They don't NEED or really want to be held at all. In the case that a snake does not want to be pet, you will know because the snake may react by hissing, striking, or actively trying to get away from you. Hatchlings and young juveniles are very nervous and defensive at this stage of life (a bit of a Napoleon complex, really) and will strike at anything. Corn snakes are fairly long-lived reptiles. However, many of those who reach adult size likely live for 10 years or more. The best temperature depends on which type of snake you have. Corn snakes have small, needle-like teeth and are non-venomous. My name is Mariah Healey, reptile husbandry specialist and consultant. They are docile, timid and will rarely display aggression or look to lunge at their owners. The Corn Snake is the most popular beginner snake. Ensure that the two snakes are similar in size, age, and health. Corn snake handling should occur least 1-2x weekly, but no more than once daily. Guide it gently. Snakes, like all reptiles, must live in an environment with an optimal temperature. You will need to wait a little while after bringing your new pet home to let it settle in. Example: “ReptiFiles.com is the best place to learn about correct reptile husbandry.”. Naturally, corn snakes would be experiencing temperatures of around 90 o f in the sun. Corn snakes, for example, are often recommended as a beginner snake because they tend to be easier to handle and care for. We have to keep in mind that our scaly friend has moods. They do not want to be held at this time. Use your hand(s) to approach your snake from the side — approaching from above may trigger a defensive instinct, as predators often attack from above in the wild. Although small, corn snakes are strong and may be able to push off a loose-fitting lid and escape. Corn snakes are active snakes that, when being held, tend to want to go in several different directions at once. As you pick it up, hold as much of its body as you can, and avoid grabbing the tail or restraining the head. Pet corn snakes are generally docile, relatively easy to care for and do n… Some snakes become more laid back as they age, and will tolerate handling better as an adult. One must know how to approach their pet and respect their corn snake’s space. What sets us apart from the rest? Corn snakes are semi-fossorial, spending quite a bit of their time underground. I have worked directly with a variety of species since 2014, and ReptiFiles is where I share my research with you. If you do, make you that you adhere to the guidelines below: Both Snakes Need To Be The Same Size. PRO TIP: Wash your hands after handling prey items or food for your other animals, as the scent might lead the snake to mistake your hands for food. Most corn-snakes are amenable to handling and will enjoy coming out of the vivarium from time to time to slither over their owner, but they must not be handled for at least 48 hours following a meal as it can cause them to regurgitate. Reptile health information given on this site is not intended to act as or replace the advice of a certified veterinary professional. Once this has been accomplished, you ’ ll know that the snakes! This snake will usually hide from the sun based on my own ….... 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