Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi, my first time posting here. I recently bought a baby corn snake. I bought a book and did some reading online. My temps are about 85 in the hot side, 75 in the cool side. Right now the baby is in about a 5 gallon tank with screen lid. It has a hide, a small branch, and a water dish.

My problem is, well its a little snippy. When I first brought him home from the pet store, he was easy to handle. Then I left him alone for about three days. When I went to handle him he keeps snapping at my hands the minute I get near him.

He's eaten two pinkies now in the last week and a half with no problem. As far as everything I've read, his environment is set up just right, and he's eating well.

My concern is that everyone told me corn snakes are great beginner pets. But Diego (his name ) is anything but docile. Is this normal for babies? And if it is, how can I handle him safetly and tame him? ANY help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your help!!

Julia

>>Hi, my first time posting here. I recently bought a baby corn snake. I bought a book and did some reading online. My temps are about 85 in the hot side, 75 in the cool side. Right now the baby is in about a 5 gallon tank with screen lid. It has a hide, a small branch, and a water dish.
>>
>>My problem is, well its a little snippy. When I first brought him home from the pet store, he was easy to handle. Then I left him alone for about three days. When I went to handle him he keeps snapping at my hands the minute I get near him.
>>
>>He's eaten two pinkies now in the last week and a half with no problem. As far as everything I've read, his environment is set up just right, and he's eating well.
>>
>>My concern is that everyone told me corn snakes are great beginner pets. But Diego (his name ) is anything but docile. Is this normal for babies? And if it is, how can I handle him safetly and tame him? ANY help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your help!!
>>
>>Julia

Hey Julia,
Don't worry. It sounds to me like it has settled in and you are invading it's territory. Everything is percieved as a threat to a juvenile snake. Just handle it regularily. The more you handle it the more docile it will become.
There are some that can stay a bit aggresive but as a general rule they will calm down with time and handling.
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Remember, my posts are MY opinion only.
Jimmy (draybar)

Thanks for the help! How do I handle it safetly though? Honestly everytime I put my hand near him he lunges at me. Out of reflex I keep pulling back. The one time I did actually get ahold of him he was moving around so much I let him go so he wouldn't hurt himself. Any ideas on how I can approach him without him striking at me??

I'm used to holding things with 4 legs, thats easy, this is baffling me though. =)

Don't worry too much. Mine was the same way. I am also new at owning a snake. It is a little weird to have them striking at you but it is just normal. The last thing you want to do is let this stop you from handling it. If you let the strikes stop you from picking him up he will keep doing it and will become very difficult to handle. Even if you let him hit you when he strikes it will not hurt. If he is a juvy it will barely even be noticable. Mine got over this after the first 3-4 times I went to pick him up. I noticed that if I went in slow and cautious it gave him time to get scared and strike. Just reach in and grab him. He will get used to it and become very docile. They will move around a lot when being handled but to me that is a good thing. Much more interesting than the fat/slow snakes out there. Good luck and just remember to not let it intimidate you.

I agree. Just pick him up and hold him. Does he calm down after a minute or two in your hands? If he doesn't now, he should soon. It's the initial pickup that usually gets the strike.
If the strike makes you nervous and makes you tend to pull back, use a latex glove on the hand you are picking him up with. The cheap kind that comes in a box, like janitors use, or that come as part of some first aid kits. Not only will it give you more confidence, but they say that the snake won't like the taste, and may learn that biting is unpleasant. I used this method to deal with my little Texas Ratsnake, who is now a sweetie.
Pick him up with the glove hand, then switch to your ungloved hand once he calms down (or at least stops striking). Then, take the glove off. Good luck. He should be fine. Duffy

I am not totaly sure if this works or if im just lucky with snakes. I always keep babys and juvys with an old baby shirt that my 2 year old used to wear. We always make sure and rub it on us a little for scent. Then place the shirt at the warm end. You can only really get them out when they are out..it is difficult to retrieve them in the shirt. That way the snakes get used to your scent meaning comfort. I dont know how much logic really is there to this but I have not been nipped at by any of my young snakes. Even my Brazilian Rainbow Boa. The most I have ever had is a slighty baby who seemed to try and outrun me before letting me handle him.
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1.1 Leos
1.1 Corn snakes (1 Lav & 1 Ghost)
0.0.1 Childrens python
0.1 Brazilian Rainbow boa
1.0 Rat (as pet not food)
1.0 Cat
"whats with you and all those dang reptiles?"

>>Thanks for the help! How do I handle it safetly though? Honestly everytime I put my hand near him he lunges at me. Out of reflex I keep pulling back. The one time I did actually get ahold of him he was moving around so much I let him go so he wouldn't hurt himself. Any ideas on how I can approach him without him striking at me??
>>
>>I'm used to holding things with 4 legs, thats easy, this is baffling me though. =)

I think they have sumed it up quite well.
Don't hesitate when reaching in. If you hesitate with your hand in front of the snake it gives it time to get nervous and defensive. Just reach in and get it. It may want to struggle and escape but don't try to "hold" it and keep it from moving. Just let it crawl through your hands. It's pretty easy to direct it through you hands.
Be patient and be brave...lol
It won't hurt you and after a while you will begin to notice it getting calmer and calmer.
good luck
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Remember, my posts are MY opinion only.
Jimmy (draybar)

Oh can I ever relate! I'm a Gecko person, who bought a baby Corn at a reptile show about a month ago, mainly becuase they are known for being so docile.. I did a ton of research and made sure that she was housed properly etc. She's a great eater, which is a relief, but man is she a vicious little girl! We named her Nippy and it fits her perfectly. She rattles her tail and strikes, even if you just look at her through the glass. I'm kind of chicken and have a tendency to pull back when she strikes, so I'm nervous handling her, which I'm sure she feels. I finally gave her to my adult son, who doesn't mind the nips now but would like her to tame down. Thanks to all for the great advice. I will pass it on to my son.