Reptile & Amphibian Forums

In the sense that, it will grow to recognize your hand, be willing to be picked up and not fear things etc.? If so, do you have any tips on the process? I have just gotten a corn snake that is about the thickness of a Bic Ball point pen (one of those cheap black ones) and my estimate on its length is ~14" Thank you!

Yes, corn snakes are tameable. There may be a few other kinds of snakes that tame as easily as a corn, but none I know of surpasses corns.

From the length, you snake sounds like it hatched either late in 2004 or (more likely) early in 2005.

Baby snakes can be quite defensive. After all, they are small, and many predators are quite willing to snap one up. Fast motions and approaching from above the snake are typical signs of a predator. So you move slowly and try to keep your hands at his level. Bending a piece of coat hanger wire into a hook may help, too. You can slip the hook under his body and lift him an inch or two so that you can slip a hand under him. Get him out and handle him for 5-30 minutes every day except for around 24 hours after feeding. Watch him, and you can tell when he doesn't want to play any more. You ought to see a difference in the way he acts in your hands within a few days. However, I would wait on the taming until 2-3 days after he has a good meal under his belt. Because a stressed out baby snake doesn't have much appetite, and a well nourished snake is generally better tempered and tames more easily than a poorly nourished one.

Good luck.

Paul Hollander

"Tameable" in Corn terms would probably mean "I recognise that this thing isn't a threat to me". A Corn will certainly learn that you're safe to be near and that you won't hurt it.

Stay calm, always be gentle, move slowly, give it warning that you're there before you try and pick it up (just grabbing it suddenly will make it think you're a predator). Over time, this sort of handling will reassure the snake that you're OK to be with.

Be patient though - Corns will think that everything's a threat unless proven otherwise. If you have one from the egg, it catches on within a few days of hatching. Older ones can take longer to figure it out if they haven't been handled regularly/correctly.

Absolutely! Sounds to me like you got yourself a hatchling there.
Any idea when it was hatched? Or, is it feeding already? Dont be worried about him. he'll be just fine. Corn snakes rarely ever bite. Nor are they aggressive. Every time you go to handle him or feed him, just wash your hands with the same soap so that he recognizes the scent to be you, and you should never run into a problem.

Yes, all my corn snakes know my name and come when I call 'em. They are coming alone quite well in the potty training area too. Now if I could just get 'em to roll over.

yes, handle daily for a week or 2 and he/she'll get used to you. young are known for being a bit skittish at first but with age they'll learn that you mean no harm.