Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I really needed help. I own 3 snakes now....corn, lavender kingsnake, and grey banded. I have owned 2 other snakes that have since past. I feel that I do have ample experience in owning these snakes. Anyway, my situation is a follow. I aquired a corn snake that my sister found at her work which was in their bathroom. I decided to take her the only promblem is she is very aggressive which is very unlikely with corn snakes. She is always striking and coils in a ball. She is very small so I am guessing she is probably around 6 months. I just don't know what else to do. I am trying to give her time because I know she is scared. Oh, and she is eating fp which is a very good thing. Any advise is GREATLY APPRECIATED!!!!!

Michelle

Well, really all you can do is gently hold it when it does not have a recent meal every so often. Being as it is still so young, it will very likely start to see you as not a threat, and become acclimated in time.

For now, try to keep your hands away from the front of it's face, so it doesn't even have a chance to "zero in" on it. This is VERY IMPORTANT!.You can take it out of the container with a small wire hook too, then very slowly and gently place it in your free hand. This also does not allow an opportunity for it to strike at your "monster" hand that it perceives as closing in on it to hurt it.

As far as the tiny snake is concerned, you are a big menacing "monster" that is out to do it great bodily harm. When it starts to see that this indeed isn't the case, things will gradually get better in time. You just need to be very patient with it.

You already have one great thing going in your favor, and that is that it accepts meals for you. The rest should fall into place as well in time.

~Doug
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"a snake in the grass is a GOOD thing"

my website -serpentinespecialties.webs.com

I agree with Doug give it time. Baby Corns have a natural spunk to them because they are so vulnerable. It is their only defense. Hold it frequently and do not be afraid of it's bite. That is a very important issue. I had a yellow rat snake that would bite no matter what and I used it to get over my fear of getting bit. I would allow it to bite me repeatedly untill I lost my fear. I'm not suggesting to do this. However my point is that your hands move differently when you have nervousness. People tend to move forward then pull back and go forward again indecisively. This looks, as Doug said, like a threatening attack. Just hold it let it bite you a couple times and it will see that biting doesn't get results. If you put it back in it's container/cage, then it has learned that striking makes you back down. Good luck, I'm sure it will calm down with time.
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King Snakes! Who can make a better mouse trap?
J Sierra