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cwblush
Egg

United Kingdom
53 Posts |
Posted - 14/07/2012 : 19:11:00
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Arrgghhhhhhhhhh Ace has taken to striking when we go into the tank now. Joys! Any ideas? Went back to the shop i got him from and he said to keep at it, that he had done this before and frequent handling had got him out of it. Shame i didnt know that before?! Also gave me some gloves to put on and said when i lift his house not to hesitate, just to go straight for him. Also ..... was looking some bits and bobs up and have read that some people recommend not to feed in his viv? to take him out and feed him in another viv so that when you open his usual one he wont strike cause he thinks its food time?? Lots of questions!! Sorry!! But thank you in advance!!
 Caroline |
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Moppet
Fully Grown Corn
    
United Kingdom
3315 Posts |
Posted - 14/07/2012 : 19:14:40
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I was always taught to feed snakes outside the viv because then they are less likely to mistake your hand for food (and also so they don't eat their substrate) but I think this is more of a personal preference than a solid rule. Might be worth a try though.
If he is striking at you just ignore him and don't hesitate as you go to pick him up because that can make you seem scary and more like a predator. I was told Apollo had 'attitude' when I bought him but I think it was all down to the way the guy in the shop was picking him up. Too many fast, nervous movements would make any snake grumpy. Apollo is lovely to handle now, just persistant, patient handling every day (apart from shedding and 2 days after feeding) has turned Apollo into a very friendly, chilled out snakey.
Good luck with Ace, just keep at it and he'll get there.  |
2.4.0 Corn snakes 1.0.0 horse 0.1.0 Golden retriever 1.4.0 Guinea pigs |
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cwblush
Egg

United Kingdom
53 Posts |
Posted - 14/07/2012 : 19:20:26
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thankyou! Might try the feeding him outside for him from next week (have nowhere to do it tomorrow) Was quite funny cause the bloke in the shop instantly thought i wanted to bring him back. Lat thing l would do, despite everything we love hom to bits!! I know its going to take work just got lulled into a false sense of security to begin with as Ace was so good! So after feeding do you just lift him back into his usual viv? I know l'm coming across as a bit of a twit but just want my wee man to be happy and settled!
Caroline |
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Moppet
Fully Grown Corn
    
United Kingdom
3315 Posts |
Posted - 14/07/2012 : 19:26:51
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Not seeming like a twit at all. Everyone has to start somewhere. This forum is fab for answering questions and I've asked quite a few daft ones and probably will continue to do so.
I feed Apollo outside the viv and when he is done I wait 5-10 minutes to make sure it's gone down properly then I carefully lift him back to his viv, making sure not to squeeze the bulge, but making sure it is supported. One of my friends lines the box with paper and lifts the paper into the viv so she doesn't stress out the snake but I don't feel that this is safe as Apollo gets all impatient to go home after he's eaten and I wouldn't want him to squirm off it. Again, I think it is personal preference really and the snake will let you know if it doesn't work for them. Some snakes refuse to eat outside their viv as they don't feel safe enough. |
2.4.0 Corn snakes 1.0.0 horse 0.1.0 Golden retriever 1.4.0 Guinea pigs |
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lupi lou
Fully Grown Corn
    
United Kingdom
3670 Posts |
Posted - 14/07/2012 : 20:03:33
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Some times if you feed by hand in the viv this can cause them to associate the hand with food, 8's mum used to do this and she has a monster strike on her! she now gets fed in a separate box off tongs and is much better. I do feed my too in the viv but i use tongs so that my hand never smells like food and isn't associated with feed time, so you could always try that if Ace dosn't settle to being fed in a tub. good luck a, sure he'll soon settle down again. |
  1.0.1 Corns 0.1.0 Dog: springer 1.0.0 Horse 0.4.0 Gerbils 2.2.0 Leopard gecko 0.2.0 Cave gecko |
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lotabob
Fully Grown Corn
    
United Kingdom
4334 Posts |
Posted - 15/07/2012 : 01:42:29
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Snakes have an incredibly keen sense of smell, if your hands smell of food then yes they may mistake you for food, if you dont look like food or smell like food then its not going to react like you are food. I have fed in vivarium and out of vivarium and noticed no difference in response. (In the early days I thought my Boa was reacting differently but it turns out she is just snappy around been approached from above).
I always wash my hands just before handling with Simple Mint antibacterial hand wash, my thinking is mint is alien to them and nothing like anything they will encounter other than me, a slight scent association for them as they are scent driven.
I think the shops advice is sound, just get stuck in so to speak, some are a bit defensive to start with when you pick them up but calm once they are up. If the glove gives you a bit of confidence then that's good, just make sure they aren't fluffy/woolly so the teeth cant get caught in the fibres. |
Anery Corn snake SPOT. Royal Python, DUKE. Hogg Island Boa, SANKE. Albino House Snake, HAL. Harlequin Crested Gecko HARLEY Albino Horned Frog WAKA Chilean Rose Tarantula TRIXIE. Brazilian Salmon Pink Bird-eating Tarantula SAM. Orange Baboon Tarantula BORIS. Giant Asian Forest Scorpion, SALLY. Giant African Land Snails, SHELDON & MICHELLE. Budwing Mantis, MAIA Dubia Roach Colony. Silkworm Colony. Mealworm Colony. Waxworm Colony. Fruit Beetle Colony.
MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL http://www.youtube.com/user/alocheeky |
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kdlang
Fully Grown Corn
    
United Kingdom
3556 Posts |
Posted - 15/07/2012 : 09:03:12
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It really is just a case of trying to relax and just go for it. Just calmly scoop your hand underneath hold and remove from viv. I think the common saying is 'fake it til you feel it'. Easier said than done i know but well worth it. Your daughter probably had a good experience because she was naturally less wary.
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4.1.0 corns - Izzy (Carolina) Alice (Amel) Peanut (Butter Motley) Swayze (Ghost) Carmellia (Butter Motley) 0.1.0 cat - Kizzy 1.0.0 Dog - Dobbie Location - Chesterfield, Derbyshire
www.support-dogs.org.uk |
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tommy zoom
Snake Mite
United Kingdom
14 Posts |
Posted - 15/07/2012 : 10:54:18
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if they do bite what is the best way of getting them off because last time mine bit it stayed on for around 15 min and biting over and over again LOL me not wanting to harm it just took the bites like a****LOL any help plz ? |
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Donnie
Fully Grown Corn
    
United Kingdom
3215 Posts |
Posted - 15/07/2012 : 11:37:45
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I have heard that running water over their head will make them let go of you. |
1.1 Corns (Anery Stripe, Amel) 1.0 Rootbeer 0.2 Jungle Carpet Python 1.0 Zebra Jungle Carpet Python 1.0 50% Diamond Zebra Carpet Python |
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Andrea49
Snake Mite
United Kingdom
44 Posts |
Posted - 15/07/2012 : 14:10:18
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I feed Kelloggs outside his viv in a rub. He now associated being put in the rub with being fed. We also use tweezers to feed him so that he doesn't associate our smell with food. Once he's eaten I wait until he's a bit more active and the food has worked down a bit and then put the rub inside the viv and let him climb out of his own accord. Sometimes he's quite quick, other times he'll take a while to get out, just depends on the size of food and the mood he's in. Every one does things slightly differently, and it depends what works with your snaky  |
1.0 'Normal' corn - Kelloggs |
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lotabob
Fully Grown Corn
    
United Kingdom
4334 Posts |
Posted - 15/07/2012 : 14:44:41
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I think BHB did some tests on this and the only thing they found to work every single time is pouring a little bit of listerine mouthwash onto your hand right by the snakes mouth (not onto the snake). Its something most houses have to hand too so good to know. |
Anery Corn snake SPOT. Royal Python, DUKE. Hogg Island Boa, SANKE. Albino House Snake, HAL. Harlequin Crested Gecko HARLEY Albino Horned Frog WAKA Chilean Rose Tarantula TRIXIE. Brazilian Salmon Pink Bird-eating Tarantula SAM. Orange Baboon Tarantula BORIS. Giant Asian Forest Scorpion, SALLY. Giant African Land Snails, SHELDON & MICHELLE. Budwing Mantis, MAIA Dubia Roach Colony. Silkworm Colony. Mealworm Colony. Waxworm Colony. Fruit Beetle Colony.
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