I would hold him 5-10 mins at a time and may be 2-3 times a day. Has it actually bitten you yet or are you just afraid it might?
i hold my snake for some ten minutes once a day. but i think you should let him wonder in your house or bedroom. just dont let it be afradi because your family or another animal, do it alone if you can :blink:
They generally grow out of it with time - it can take a couple of months to a year or more for them to completely calm down.
dont worry, mine does the same thing. but so far he has never bitten me. i think he is just being moody and will grow out of it
ok he isent eating its been like 10 days. when i tryed to feed him yesterday i accidently hit him in the nose with the pinky since then i tryed later that day and 2 minutes ago and he still wont eat. is it my fault that he isent eating ? if so how can i fix it?
also when i picked him up this morning he wouldent stop figeting and trying to jump out of my hands is this normal?
Give him a day or so, no handling or anything...then try to feed again. I know you are working on trying to get him used to handling, but if he isnt eating you want to give him a couple of days without the added stress of being handled. And yes,t he behavior you are describing is normal for young corns.
SO far every thin gyou are describing is normal for young corns. Give it a few day w/o handling, then try feeding. The added stress of you handling may be causing it not to eat. Snakes are not very social animals and do not require attention like a cat/dog. I find that 2-3 times a week for a good half hour work well for handling adults. For babys 3-4 time a week for 5 minuts is plenty. It will get use to yo over time.
actualy he was shedding, is this significant to his not eating (he did eat after he shed) also how long do i wait after sheding to pick him up?
Yes, this is significant, although all snakes do behave differently, the majority will refuse food anything up to 2 weeks before they shed. When a snake sheds it produces a fluid, which is pumped between the old and new skin to loosen it, this is the time you see them go dull or even pink on underside of body, their eyes go very cloudy and cant see much, it's best to leave them alone at the stage as they can get very nervous. The fluid is then re-absorbed and afew days later the shed begins. The whole process can take 2 to 3 weeks to complete, sometimes much shorter, every snake is different. After shedding it's best not to handle them for at least 2 or 3 days to allow the new skin to dry and harden off. As you have found out he will eat straight after a shed. It's a good idea to keep records of when they start to cloud and then date of shed, you will see a pattern emerge, so you will then know when to expect the next shed, also record of food eaten. This can be done simply with a book or if you feel ambitious you can make a database on any office prog on computer.
He's just young, most snakes, and animals for that matter, react very hesitantly when a seemingly giant creature is attempting to get them. Just use slow movements, and eventually you will build a trust. I also advise a larger tank when he reaches around 18"-24", a 20 gallon Long or 29 gallon.
I would continue to hold, because if you put him down, it means he's won and will do it again. I still think it's the pheromone I talked about in an earlier post. Try washing your hands with a scented soap just before you pick him up and see what happens, if he stays fairly calm then it's definitely the pheromone thing.
i would say for now DONT pull him out of his hide. thats his private, safe place. if he cant feel safe there then theres no reason for it to be there. maybe in time when hes not afraid of you it would be ok.
