Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've had my snake for like six months or more, and it is still small. It has a kean sense of objects moving around his head. Also, it is very jumpy of movements. But when I try to grab it or pick it up, the damn snake gets mad and strikes at me, with his tail flickering. I have to get a wire hanger to pick it up. I can still hold it, but it's a very quick snake, moviing through my fingers in and out. And it is a good eater.

I've had a snake before this one and it was hard to feed and very shy. I got it to eat in a seperate container on a heating pad, but one day i forgot about it and it fried. It was timid and was very easy to pick up and handle. It wasn't jumpy at all. It was slow and graceful through my fingers.

QUESTIONS:
Is there any tips on weaning the snake to get ride of his striking and jumpiness?

What do you do when it strikes at you? Do you put it back in the tank or do you keep holding it?

One idea that I have used is to put on those thin latex gloves and pick up the snake. That way you won't be leery of getting bitten and can move very confidently. A lot of people who are jerky and scared in their movements can scare the snake. After you have held it for a few minutes, try gently taking the gloves off. Be careful not to let the snake escape while you are removing the gloves, though.

One way to hold a squirmy snake is to cup it in between your two hands. One hand holds the snake and the other is cupped over top. They seem to feel more secure that way and you don't have to worry about them flying off your fingers.
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phflame

No, it only strikes when I'm picking it up. I try that first, then I get the hanger to pick it up. Then I let the snake move down the hanger onto my hands, mimicing my hand like a tree branch. Then I let the snake go in and out of my fingers.

Yeah, I'm way to scared to pick it up bare handed, I don't like the fast head pounding on my hand. I don't like the striking position, either. Plus, the high pitched noise really gets me nervous of picking it up bare handed. And I don't hold it that much because of that, I just look at it like a looking zoo.

it REALLY does make a difference. Then come back here and let us know how it is going.
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phflame

I'm not sure about it. Aren't the teeth long enough to poke through the latex. And I don't like the high pithced noise, the striking position, and the flickering of the tail.

I totally agree with the getting nervous thing, im a new corn owner and im not used to it and it shows..lol..i get all those symptoms except the tail rattle and the high pitched noise. yes i get nervous and if so i just let him calm down then try again like an hour later...usually ive found the best time is during the day because they are less active during the day and i usually catch him by suprise..the latex glove thing sounds like a very good idea but i was always told that a snake will get to know your scent then most likely be calm around you eventually so i would use the latex glove thing when all else fails..use your hands not a hanger and try to catch him during the day..just reach in and grab him, the longer you take the more scared and defensive he will get..sorry for the novel but im going through the same problems right now...

Well, it's really hard to put my hand in there because I don't want to get bite, and plus of my reflexes. He is really jumpy when he is eating, and just poke at the glass. While doing that, he strikes at my finger. But one guy read one of my comments and said he would trade me for one of his calm corns for my pissed off corn.

you also want to check your temps. Use a good thermometer, and measure it directly on the bottom of the tank. A higher than normal temp can make a snake aggressive.
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phflame

if you dont hold him enouf that will make it worse, because it will never get used to you
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my addiction:
2 normal ball pythons (lazlo and izzy)
1 amelenistic corn snake (mazy)

The only thing you can do is keep on working with it. If the snake is just a hatchling, you should be fine getting bit...I've had a yearling texas rat hanging from my hand and didn't even feel it. It's when they're 3 yrs that it starts to actually hurt. Just don't be afraid of it. most of the time, once you pick up a corn snake it won't try to bite. Another thing you can do is try picking it up by sliding your hand under it from behind.

Chris
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0.2.0 Grey Rats-Lauren, Avril
1.2.0 Black Rats- Robert, Cady, Kylie
1.2.0 Albino FL Kings-Nick, Jessica, Ashley
1.1.0 Crimson Corns-Kane, Ruby
0.1.0 Het-Crimson Corns-Lola
0.1.0 White-Sided/Pos Het Albino Black Rat-Lita
1.0.0 Albino White-sided Black Rat-Rey
0.1.0 Fl King-Bonnie
1.0.0 Biak GTP-Brandon
1.0.0 Flame X Blood Bearded-Ruff
1.2.0 Ball Pythons-Donnie, Gretchen, Alexis
0.1.0 Red-tail Boa-Xena
0.0.1 Savannah Monitor-Izzy

My snake is about 15 to 17 inches. I know it's not a baby. Oh, another question, does different breeds have different tempers or life maturities. My snake before this one was very calm and not jumpy.

OH, he's only 17 inches! A bite from that small of a snake wont hurt much at all. Let him bite you few times, he'll learn than he's not going to hurt you and eventually he should stop biting.

Thats probably not the best advice, but i REALLY would not be afraid to be biten by a 17 inch snake if i were you. It wont hurt. If he ever does bite you, dont jerk your hand away. It would only cause more harm on both you and the snake. He'll let go....eventually.
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**Am I the only one that gets frustrated when I cant find just plain old white paper towels?? I dont want any dorky lookin flowers in my snake or dragon cages! Its the little things in life that bother me....**

1.1 Bearded Dragons - Chong & Cheech
0.1 Anery Motley Corn - Fluffy
0.2 Labradors - Booger, Maggie
0.1 Cat - Hardcore

Trust me when I say that 17 inches is pretty much nothing. I've been biten twice by my 1.5yr old green tree python, and just last monday I had my entire right thumb down a cal kings throw (long story) as well as had a good chunk of flesh torn out of it by a 3-4 ft black milk snake (ok, I'll admit that one kinda hurt a little). At 17 inches, while it doesn't sound to sane, the best thing you can do is just keep picking it up and ignoring the bites. If you do that often enough, eventually the snake will figure out biting you is useless, and that he's not gonna come to any harm. A aggressive snake like that usually means you'll never have problems feeding it though.

Chris
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0.2.0 Grey Rats-Lauren, Avril
1.2.0 Black Rats- Robert, Cady, Kylie
1.2.0 Albino FL Kings-Nick, Jessica, Ashley
1.1.0 Crimson Corns-Kane, Ruby
0.1.0 Het-Crimson Corns-Lola
0.1.0 White-Sided/Pos Het Albino Black Rat-Lita
1.0.0 Albino White-sided Black Rat-Rey
0.1.0 Fl King-Bonnie
1.0.0 Biak GTP-Brandon
1.0.0 Flame X Blood Bearded-Ruff
1.2.0 Ball Pythons-Donnie, Gretchen, Alexis
0.1.0 Red-tail Boa-Xena
0.0.1 Savannah Monitor-Izzy

Recently I was bite several times by my hatchling snow cornsnake while trying to remove it from some masking tape I was using to cover the points of the eye-screws I used to secure the lid. She didn't like me coating her with peanut butter around where the tape was stuck on her. Finally removed the tape and she was calm and non aggressive after she was off the tape. Even at the pinky mouse I fed her.

I have since found other ways to cover the sharp points on the end of the eye screws (using round fancy eraser tips for pencils (like flowers). They are sense enough to cover the screws and not likely to crumble or easily come off if the corn crawls over them (or at least I hope so, still trying this method). I could, of course file down all the points, but that's alot of work, especially when only these two corns have learned how to get stuck on tape, my other snakes never had the problem.
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PHLdyPayne

You could also use a snake hook, and everytime you pick him up, just move your hand a little closer and closer to the hook. Hopefully to the point that your he'll get comfortable being picked up and held. Dont give up. If you give up on holding him, it'll make both your lives very stressful.
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**Am I the only one that gets frustrated when I cant find just plain old white paper towels?? I dont want any dorky lookin flowers in my snake or dragon cages! Its the little things in life that bother me....**

1.1 Bearded Dragons - Chong & Cheech
0.1 Anery Motley Corn - Fluffy
0.2 Labradors - Booger, Maggie
0.1 Cat - Hardcore

Ok, I just put a pinky mouse in there. I droped the mouse right in front of his head. He got really aggresive and really jumpy. I went outside of my room to let him eat privately for like five seconds, went back into the room, and when he felt the vibrations he started moving very quickly across the cage towards the vibrations (me). So I got closer to the glass cage, put my finger on the cage and started taping back and forth from side to side, he started striking at my finger. Really distubing!

Yes, he is a good eater! He's not like my other one I had in the past, trying to force feed.

Ok...what you did, BAD IDEA! Even "tame" snakes will get that way if you act like that. And striking the glass repeatedly like that can damage their nose. And again, until you have it eating rat pups, you shouldn't be afraid of getting bit. If you wanna be able to handle the snake, you're gonna have to do that. Otherwise, if you live near me I could trade you a calm one that eats.

Chris
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0.2.0 Grey Rats-Lauren, Avril
1.2.0 Black Rats- Robert, Cady, Kylie
1.2.0 Albino FL Kings-Nick, Jessica, Ashley
1.1.0 Crimson Corns-Kane, Ruby
0.1.0 Het-Crimson Corns-Lola
0.1.0 White-Sided/Pos Het Albino Black Rat-Lita
1.0.0 Albino White-sided Black Rat-Rey
0.1.0 Fl King-Bonnie
1.0.0 Biak GTP-Brandon
1.0.0 Flame X Blood Bearded-Ruff
1.2.0 Ball Pythons-Donnie, Gretchen, Alexis
0.1.0 Red-tail Boa-Xena
0.0.1 Savannah Monitor-Izzy

I would kind of like to trade my snake for a calm one but, I don't want to give out where I live or my address over this forum.

Well, for starters we'll do an easy question...do you live in FL?
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0.2.0 Grey Rats-Lauren, Avril
1.2.0 Black Rats- Robert, Cady, Kylie
1.2.0 Albino FL Kings-Nick, Jessica, Ashley
1.1.0 Crimson Corns-Kane, Ruby
0.1.0 Het-Crimson Corns-Lola
0.1.0 White-Sided/Pos Het Albino Black Rat-Lita
1.0.0 Albino White-sided Black Rat-Rey
0.1.0 Fl King-Bonnie
1.0.0 Biak GTP-Brandon
1.0.0 Flame X Blood Bearded-Ruff
1.2.0 Ball Pythons-Donnie, Gretchen, Alexis
0.1.0 Red-tail Boa-Xena
0.0.1 Savannah Monitor-Izzy

Nope, I like IL

A few thoughts i didn't see mentioned.

Feeding in tank might be a bad idea in this case. I've read on this forum and in care sheets that feeding in cage "can" cause a snake to think that every time you open the cage and stick your hand in it is time to be fed.

Also Do you have hides so the snake can feel secure? a snake likes to be able to feel the hide, my corn goes into the back of the hide and coils so his back touches the top/back of the hide. With small snakes you can use toilet paper rolls cut and nearly flattened to aquire this. Also too large a cage or too much movement/vibrations around the cage can cause the snake to feel less secure.

good luck

Wayne
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0.0.1 03 Normal Corn Snake - Kula
0.0.1 05 CB Normal Ball Python - Smeagol

1.0 Boston Terrier - Blaze
0.1 Long Coat Chihuahua/ Papillion Mix - Taz

Yes, my snake does have two hides. A piece of bark and he hides under his water bowl.

>>Yes, my snake does have two hides. A piece of bark and he hides under his water bowl.

Is the bark shallow enough that his back touches if he coils up?
Also if you just got it perhaps leave it alone as much as possible for a week to get it to settle into the cage. Also with this limit time spent near the cage also any other pets like a dog or cat.

can't think of any other possible enviromental causes right now. Good luck with the little guy he should calm down in time.

Wayne
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0.0.1 03 Normal Corn Snake - Kula
0.0.1 05 CB Normal Ball Python - Smeagol

1.0 Boston Terrier - Blaze
0.1 Long Coat Chihuahua/ Papillion Mix - Taz

I have had my snake for about 6 or 7 months now. And the bark hide is about an 1 1/2 inch from the ground.

First of all droping the pinky on top of its head bad idea. How would u like it if i dropped some of ur food on top of ur head? Second of all why would u move ur finger back and forth ur just teasing and making the snake get mad DUH IT's gonna strike!!!!!

Here something that hope helps.
1.Get a hide u can lift up makes things easier for u to pick up the snake during the day because u can just pick up the hide and pick him up as hes curled up.
2. 17 inch. corn is still a very young corn they get nervous easily at such a young age and it biting u wont hurt u might feel a small little prick but nothing bad a paper cut would be worse than than little guy biting u.
3. Get some latex gloves pick it up with confidence don't hesitate. No it won't be able to penetrate the latex.
4. Snakes do get used to the scent but use the gloves once u feel more confident that it wont bite as ur handling it take off one glove gradually you'll end up not using a glove as it calms down.

...

First did I say i drop the pinky on top of his head, NO! I drop the pinky right in front of his head so he sees the pinky mouse.

YOU FRIED YOUR SNAKE!!!:0 sorry that must be the worst feeling ever

to tame it just hold him for short periods a few times a day
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my addiction:
2 normal ball pythons (lazlo and izzy)
1 amelenistic corn snake (mazy)

I've been bit by a 9 FT burmese python(my fault) and a 3 FT timber rattlesnake(also my fault).
Use laytex gloves, make a fist or put your hand flat on the bottom of the cage, move slowly to your snake and pick it up. Don't stop moving or pull away, if it strikes at you, you'll only encourage it to strike.
DO NOT TAP ON THE GLASS OF YOUR ENCLOSURE, you'll only make it strike at you more.....
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Cory
Corns
1.0 Snow
2.1 Anerythiristic
1.4 Okeetee
1.1 Bloodreds het Pewter
1.0 Amel
Rats
1.1 Black rats
Kings
1.0 California
1.0 Florida
Milks
1.1 Pueblan
Lots of mice and rats

If you are so scared of being bitten (especially when the snake is too small to even remotely hurt..) why would you invest in getting a snake? That would be like me getting a tarantula... Anyway, this is a crutial bonding point for you and your snake. So either A). Realise that it isn't going to hurt AT ALL and pic up the thing so it WILL STOP biting you, B). Continue to annoy it by having it strike at you and get stressed out and then see how much it hurts when it grows to 4', or C). Sell it and get a pet that you are prepared to handle the pros AND cons. I assure you holding your snake will not hurt AT ALL and you need to just get past that and pick it up what will most likely happen is it will strike once or twice and then explore your hand and or try to get away. Just my personal opinion but I am willing to bet a whole lot of people agree with almost everything I have said.... Good luck with your new pet.
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0.1 Snow Corn "Hope"
1.0 Redtail "Kilo"
1.0 Ball Python "Road Hog"
1. Orange Albino Black Ratsnake "Chunk" (Goonies)
.1 Orange Albino Black Ratsnake "Peaches" (Didn't name her!)