New corns and a few questions

[SheenaCamp]

Hi everyone! A couple weeks ago, a friend gave me 3 snakes (equipment and snakes free) and 2 of them are baby corn snakes. They are, like, BABIES. Smaller then a pencil, tiny heads, defensive, etc. I don't know what kind they are and I'm really curious...pictures below if I don't eff it up.

Also, because they're so small, I'm trying to not touch them too much. They are both very defensive and get stressed very, very easily. What is a good age/size to start handling them? I doubt they're even 6 months old, but that should give a good idea of a time line.

One more thing, I've read ALL over the internet (and I am VERY good at researching things thoroughly) that it's OK to house corn snakes together. What's everyone's opinions on that?

Ok peektures!!




I don't even have names for them, but I'm assuming this one is an Upper Keys. I could be totally, totally off my rocker, though. The top pictures is really the true colors of the snake. Upper Keys from BHB is below for reference.




I have a feeling this one is an Okeetee but I'm not 100% sure.




Anyway, I would appreciate any feedback and suggestions. Thanks guys!

[Blue Apple Herps]

Both of them are normals.

Don't house them together. At that age they can be cannibals. Not worth the risk IMO.

[blushingball419]

I agree, they both look like normals (although very pretty ones with a lot of orange!) and I would also not recommend housing them together.

About the handling though, you should definitely be able to handle them right now without too much problem. I know they are very wriggly and scared, but I handled my bloodred when he was that age with no issues. Just keep the handling sessions short and start increasing the length of them as they get older. If you don't start now, they might have a harder time adjusting to it later.

[thedarkwolf25]

Both of them are normals.

Don't house them together. At that age they can be cannibals. Not worth the risk IMO.

I didn't know that! At what age do they stop that behavior? Is there any age at which they can be housed together?

[blushingball419]

I didn't know that! At what age do they stop that behavior? Is there any age at which they can be housed together?

Well, I've heard of a few people that have housed corns together once they got to be a couple of years old, but really there aren't too many snakes that I would recommend housing together, regardless of age. Most species of snake just aren't social, and being forced to live so close to one another and compete for warmth and security isn't the best situation (and of course there's always the disease factor). Some deal with it better than others, but I think it's just easier (and makes more sense) to house all snakes separately

[Blue Apple Herps]

I didn't know that! At what age do they stop that behavior? Is there any age at which they can be housed together?

I've never heard of adults eating each other. But there are a multitude of other issues of housing. It's sort of like wearing a seatbelt, you could go years without ever getting into a wreck, but if you do, you will wish you had worn it.

Same here, you could go years without any issues, but as soon as some come up, you will have wished you had separated them.