Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just got a baby corn snake today and whenever i go to pick him/her up he/she always strikes at me any advise would be appreciated.

Alot of hatchlings will strike or bite. They are defending themselves from the "big thing" that is coming to eat them. I know how you feel, when I first started with snakes I was nervous when I picked up any little one that was always striking at me. You just have to get used to it, and keep handling them. Eventually they will realize that you won't harm them. Baby corn bites don't hurt. Most of the time a larger corn bite doesn't hurt. My puppy's bites hurt more.

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SpardaWolf
17 Corns,5 Ratsnakes, 1 Ball Python, 1 Col Rainbow Boa
Snake Addict
"Always Learning"

We are big bad monsters coming to get them, watch their tails, they rattle them too, it's sooo cute aren't you scared? lol I pick mine up with a stick and then allow it to come to me and it works, too fast of movements scare it.
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My roomates are 1BP,1BCI2corns,Rotti,3cats,desert scorpions, and snake food AKA the food chain. See my kids at: http://community.webshots.com/user/diggy415

If you walked into my snake room at feeding time you would swear that I had a rack full of eastern diamondbacks. The whole time they are swallowing they are rattling their tales. Not all of them, but most of them. LOL
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SpardaWolf
17 Corns,5 Ratsnakes, 1 Ball Python, 1 Col Rainbow Boa
Snake Addict
"Always Learning"

I think it's the cutest thing ever when they start rattling their tails. Darwin cracks me up when he does that, but I've noticed that he settles right down as soon as he realizes I'm nice and warm

Kel

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>>Like Sparda said, it is quite common with hatchlings.
When they are that small, everything is a threat to them.
Just keep handling it. It may take a little while but it will calm down. Their teeth are too small to hurt.
When you reach in to pick it up don't hesitate. Just reach in and pick it up in one smooth motion before it really has a chance to react. Then just handle it gently for a little while, letting it crawl from hand to hand.
Jimmy

I totally agree, you should definitely pick him/her up right away once you open the enclosure. The longer the little guy has to think about it, the more nervous he will get. I use little water bowls that are hollow underneath and they often hang out under the bowl. It's a quick pick up the bowl with one hand and grab up the baby with the other before they know what's happened.

Here is a bite I got from my one eyed baby "Suezo", a week and a half old. It didn't really hurt, is a very unique feeling, I think them pulling out hurts worse than the teeth going it. Big fear with babies is they could loose one of their delicate little teeth, especially if you jump. I didn't even bother with a band aid, just rinsed it off...

Your little one will get used to you with regular gentle handling. I wouldn't be too worried. And yeah, the tail rattle is cool. My rat snake is loud as heck with his tail when feeding.

My little nipper...

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Lyns Lair
Frogwatch USA
WNY Herpetological Society

0.1 Cat (Mia)
4.2 Ferrets (Wolf, Shadow, Verdell, Sullivan, Boo, Peach)
1.0 Carpet Python (Bear)
1.0 Malagasy Blonde Hognose Snake (Wilbur)
1.0 Yellow / Everglades Rat Snake (Pumpkin)
1.0 Russian Sand Boa (Fang)
0.1 Normal Corn Snake (Mysty)
1.0 Banded Water Snake (Ripley) coming soon!
0.1 Golden Greek Tortoise (Sunshine)
1.0 Whites Tree Frog (Trevor)
2.0 Solomon Island Eyelash Frogs (Chompy & Gimli)
1.0 AFT Gecko (Cocoa)
5.6 Leopard Geckos (Trouble, Scooter, Simba, Firenze, Teddy, Nala, Mystique, Freckles, Dotty, Zipper, Twister)

When you open the screen throw a washrag on your corn then rub it with the rag.It should go out of bite mode and go into flee mode.Then pick it up.If that doesnt work about 15 minutes in the fridge will slow it down.J/K on the last part.