Hello all, yes i'm a newbie...i would like some advice if thats ok......i just got a snow corn two weeks ago (Dhali) he eats like a pig BUT i am having trouble handling him. Both he and i are nervous and as soon as i touch him he freaks!!! i have tried removing objects in the viv to lesson his escape routes and i have tried using a hook to lift him on to my hands. Both of these things help but i want to get us both use to skin to skin contact. Maybe i should just bite the bullet and just grab him but i don't want to over stress him. Once i have got him out he's great its just the initial process. Is there a technique that can eliminate our fears....Can anyone help??? Any advice would be greatly received

Thanks

Kikidee+Dhali :?

You didn't mention how old he is. Baby and young snakes tend to be nervous. It helps them survive. Look at it from your snake's perspective. If you are trying to grab him, then you must be tring to eat him. Be patient and take it slow, don't chase him if you arent able to grab him. Be confident. I always make slow movements and let my snakes smell my hand before I lift them out. If you hold him for a few minutes every day he will most likely calm down.

Yes, as long as you approach him slow and lift from around the center of his body, he will be a little more comfortable, especially if you get underneath him before you pick him up instead of just reaching and grabbing him from above (if that makes sense). But the most important thing that will make him comfortable in your hands is experience.

Assuming yours is a hatchling, know that your snake is normal for acting this way, however corns in general will most likely calm down fairly quick.

just pick him/her up in the middle of the body and try to support as much of the body as possible. it'll probably squirm for a while but one it calms down lay it back in the cage.

Make sure he knows your there and he isnt resting. Dont pick him up 2 days after feeding because even my full grown corns are wiggly. He also may be getting used to his enviroment still so give him a little while.

Hello Again
Thanks for all your help today. Dhali is seven months old but i have only had him for two weeks. I did try him again tonight (48hrs after feed).....he was under his hide on the hot side of the viv asleep, instead of my usual grab and panic i just placed my hand into the tank. after a minute or so a small tongue poked from his white and pink coils. bit by bit he uncoiled sniffed around and slowly moved around the viv. i had already moved his other hide out of the way and i very slowly positioned my hand at the other end. he then moved closer sniffed and moved away. This slow and steady movements around the tank went on for ages, each time he got closer and closer untill he was rubbing up against and through my fingers (kinda cat like). At this point i decided to slowly move away and end the session as we were both calm relaxed and happy. I have checked on him every now and then throughout the night and he is calmly moving around his viv - he has never done that before after a handling session. He usaully hides for the whole night and the following day.

Thanks for all your help and i will keep you all posted, its good to know that there are people who can help

Kikidee + Dhali (zen like state) [color=#ff40bf][/color]

Excellent progress...slow and steady usually always works

Thats great. Nice job.

I would personally let the snake acclimate a bit more before you try everyday handling sessions. Younger snakes can stress out when they are subjected to a new environment, and it's always best to err on the side of caution.

But when you do handle, just read in and grab the snake. You being nervous doesn't help matters out--and animals can sense that. Just be authoritative and grab the snake. If you need, use a latex glove if you're worried about being bitten. They will get better about being handled the more it happens---and the bigger they get.