i am actually quite surprised. i didn't want to handle him till he finished shedding but... well you know, he needed his water changed and my hubby was right there so i suggested he hold him for a minute and he was such a good boy once he settled down... and then i got to hold him after i finished doing the photos... and he's curious, like valentino my other corn... but he's twice the width at least and much stronger... what a sweetie.