Should I Get Rid of My Corn Snake? Help please!

I have a 3 year old corn snake ( I have had him since he was a baby) and he poops on me every time I handle him and won't stay still. He does not have much personality and I really want a pet that I can just chill with without the threat of it running away or urating on me. I can get a bearded dragon if I get rid of my corn snake, but I don't know if I could do that to him. I really do love him but would much prefer a bearded dragon, I just don't know if I have the heart to get rid of my snake!:tears: How much care would it be to have both of them? What should I do? Thanks for reading all this.

I personally think if you just don't click with a snake and they're only a burden on you, there's no reason not to sell them to another nice home who will provide proper husbandry. The difference between rehoming snakes and rehoming dogs/cats is that snakes don't bond with you anyway, so they could care less who their owner is LOL.

The thing you have to honestly answer though is whether or not you're going to do the same thing with a beardie. They aren't all calm and they will still poop on you.
Bearded dragons also require much more care. Spend time really researching them. Several months of researching.
You can also try training the snake to be less stressed with handling (baby steps, getting used to your scent, just your hand in the cage, just your hand near him, etc), as well as making sure that his enclosure is allowing him to feel secure. But yeah, some corns are just flighty so-and-so's.

In the end it's up to you. Rehoming the snake is not a terrible idea. But be actually honest with yourself and consider what you'll do if your beardie doesn't want to interact with you either.

Beardies require a lot of time and attention. If a cornsnake personality isn't for you (too much movement, bathroom breaks LOL), maybe a BP? Most of them really are "pet rocks." Their husbandry requirements are different from a Corn, but they are much calmer. I've never had a BP go to the bathroom on me... (anyone else chime in!!!!)

Or if you're okay with something bigger, a 1-2 year old dumerils boa. Even more chill than ball pythons generally, and have easier husbandry requirements and cooler temperatures.

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Originally Posted by DLena

Beardies require a lot of time and attention. If a cornsnake personality isn't for you (too much movement, bathroom breaks LOL), maybe a BP? Most of them really are "pet rocks." Their husbandry requirements are different from a Corn, but they are much calmer. I've never had a BP go to the bathroom on me... (anyone else chime in!!!!)

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My BP has gone to the bathroom on me twice, same sweatshirt both times. Once in the hood and once in the front hoodie pocket. But, with the exception of fish, all of my animals have had "accidents".

I guess you have to be honest with yourself.

Do you still WANT to care for your corn? Do you look forward to coming home and checking on him and/or handling him? Or is it nothing more than a chore at this point?
Are you honestly still providing a great home for your corn? Or would he be better off with somebody who truly WANTS to care for the snake?

Are you SERIOUS about wanting a beardie? They are without a doubt more work than a corn snake. Will the same initial attraction wear off after a little while like it seems to have with your corn? What if you end up with a flighty beardie who doesn't handle all that well?

Would another species of snake be better for you?

Or, maybe you love animals, but don't love caring for them and aren't interested in caring for an animal that doesn't meet your needs 100%??

Again, only YOU can answer these questions....

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Originally Posted by DLena

Beardies require a lot of time and attention. If a cornsnake personality isn't for you (too much movement, bathroom breaks LOL), maybe a BP? Most of them really are "pet rocks." Their husbandry requirements are different from a Corn, but they are much calmer. I've never had a BP go to the bathroom on me... (anyone else chime in!!!!)

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I have had a couple balls pee all over me, but only during very high stress situations. Never had a dragon dump on me. My daughters tortoise pees every time it is out. I hate that frigging animal, but he is not going anywhere. Its not his fault he's a "pet" and I don't want to inflict his anti-social behaviors on anyone else.

Rehome him. You wouldnt be asking if deep in your heart you didnt want too..Just be sure you find him a good home, maybe someone with experience that will work with him..The snake will not care, he wont miss you as long as he gets his mice, lol.
Beardies are awesome Ive a couple over the years but they eat ALOT as juveniles. And although they never pooped on me they sure do have some smelly messes.I prefer snakes simply because they eat less and are easier to care for

As far as the animal it will not care either way but ask yourself, if you want to get rid of an animal because it pees on you are you really READY to own an animal no matter what it is.

I have owned animals my entire life and here are some guarantees as a pet owner your animals will pee, poop, bite and puke either on you or on the floor, or furniture etc......if you can't deal with either of it an animal is just not for you.

I don't think the OP's complaint is that he's getting pooped on, it's that he's getting nailed with poop - and likely pee and musk - every time he handles the snake because the snake hasn't tamed down and likely never will at this point. I have two garters like this and dealing with them is a headache. They're fun to watch but not hold.

This snake would do better in a display-only home, or maybe a breeder would be interested if it was a morph.

Yeah, getting pooped/musked on every time they're handled isn't normal lol! I've only been peed on once by any snake ever, and it was my dumeril's when she was 2. Though if someone handles snakes for longer sessions, there's a higher likelihood of being defecated on.

Thanks everyone. Since my corn's care isn't a burden on me I'm gonna keep him as a hand's off snake. I might look into BP's because i'd like a snake that is calm and stays in one place for the most part while handling. Also, I am fine with being pooped on every now and then, but as a few you have mentioned it's the constant being pooped on and musked while handling that is the problem. Thanks again!

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Originally Posted by ScaleyLove

Thanks everyone. Since my corn's care isn't a burden on me I'm gonna keep him as a hand's off snake. I might look into BP's because i'd like a snake that is calm and stays in one place for the most part while handling. Also, I am fine with being pooped on every now and then, but as a few you have mentioned it's the constant being pooped on and musked while handling that is the problem. Thanks again!

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There are some balls that are butt heads, but most are not. I advise buying an adult snake if you can, no matter what you get, so that you know exactly what you are getting attitude wise.