New Rescue, Need Some Advice

Just brought home an adult corn and he's had a rough past. He's probably around 2 years old and lived all but the past 3 weeks of his life in a 10 gallon with no UTH. He was recently rescued and upgraded to a fully loaded 20 long. The guy who rescued him really set up him well with a perfect new home, helped him with stuck shed and started handling him possibly for the first time in this snake's life. I handled him just fine tonight and brought him (and his new setup) to his forever home tonight. He was fine with being handled tonight and even with the little road trip he did great. Held onto my hand for over an hour after we got home before deciding he was ready to go back in his tank.

My concern is this... this snake has struck and latched on to the guy who rescued him. I have corn snake experience, but I'd like some advice on the best way to approach this snake to get him out of his tank without making him feel the need to strike.

I was told he is a tail rattler when awakened too early in the afternoon. He's probably going to go into shed soon so I want to handle him as much as possible until he's blue, but I want to keep giving him positive experiences. My understanding is he's just not happy being picked up but once out of the tank he's been fine.

all snakes rattle their tails at times so that should not be any sort of factor.

If you're afraid of being bitten, then use a snake hook.

Corn snakes are usually calm and docile, I've even caught wild ones that did not bite, but some do. It doesn't hurt so don't worry about that.

If they latch on and won't let go, drizzle a few drops of Listerine over their snout. It won't hurt the snake and they usually let go right away.

Some folks hold the snake under water until it lets go.

You must remember that snakes are prone to be defensive when they believe they are under attack from above. If you have aspen substrate slip your hand under the corn and lift him out. Another thing to try is to wash your hands to remove odors and put on a gardening glove on one hand to bring him out and then remove the glove when he is calm. Handle him a lot and soon you won't need the glove. I've used that method on snakes that were seldom handled and after the first time the glove wasn't needed. I don't mind it when a snake strikes but I don't want it to latch on to my hand.

Thank you for the tips! I really appreciate just having some things in the back of my mind just in case. I'm not worried about getting bit as much as I am making him nervous enough to lash out.

I actually just let my instinct guide me. When I came home, I was walking past his tank quite a bit getting my other pets fed and giving them some attention. About an hour later I noticed this guy was sticking his head up out of the aspen to see what was going on. I walked over and told him good morning even though it was 3 p.m. lol and walked away. I did that a few times over the next hour trying to give him some time to fully wake up and also see that I'm no threat. Not once did I hear a tail rattling or see any signs of him getting defensive. I could tell he was under the substrate below all of his hides. So I slowly removed them one by one to free up space to get him out and he just watched. Then I picked him up about mid body and raised him out without any ounce of resistance. I was glad. He was actually happy to hang on me and move around exploring for over an hour tonight. He was very calm and sweet as can be while observing everything.

Fingers crossed this continues. I also decided to name him Ranger.

I forgot to thank you for providing a permanent home for your rescued corn. I know he will appreciate your care.

OH he’s a good looking guy!!

I’m not experienced (mostly just came to check out your slithery friend) plus it seems you’ve got lots of good advice already.

He’s looks like such a pumpkin and from your last comment he seems to actually be! That’s awesome you took him in!

Thank you. This isn't my first snake, it's been a few years, but it's all coming back to me. I'm so in love with this guy. Got him out tonight and he's going into shed so I will have to wait a few more days to spend time with him again. This is when I start wishing I had another one LOL

Ah that’s great I bet it’s nice to have it coming back to you! I agree although it’s pretty great to pick them up for the first tine after they shed and see their brand new skin! That’s funny because I absolutely love my baby as well and she will let me hold her in blue/shed but I don’t wanna bother her so much so I got another to spread the love! It’s not a bad idea!

Can’t wait to see him when he’s all done and any new editions if they come to be

:roflmao: well there's a breeder locally with baby hypos and I'm very very tempted, I just need to get the stuff to set up a 10 gallon I have first. Ranger is deep in blue tonight and I'm super excited to see how this shed goes. His last shed was a total disaster but also happened just before he was rescued.

Hypos are cool! Their saddles blend so neatly with their ground color (which I’m sure is the poInt but still) and you’ve already got the enclosure so you’re like 2/3 of the way there already! Aw poor guy. Yes I’m sure it had a lot to do with the subpar care he was getting before so hopefully the good care he gets now will make a world of difference! My little one had a rough time with her tail tip, it took 3 days 4 paper towel “rubs” and 1 deli cup bath to get the thing off. She has a good set up I even thought the humidity was fine but I think I’ll make sure to crank it up a bit next time because that was traumatic for us both!

Usually when I see they're in blue I cover 2/3rds of the screen lid with a moist towel to boost that humidity up to 60-70% and mine have always shed perfectly that way. (I've never had a snake go into a moist hide on their own) If you ever notice stuck shed, even just the tail let them swim in a warm bath for 45-60 mins and then let them wiggle through a damp towel and it should come right off. I had to do that for a friend of mine who got a ball python at the pet shop and he had shed stuck on his whole head. It was striking at everyone and I told her it's because he couldn't see. After I helped him he was as sweet as can be.

When I see one of snakes in blue I put Sphagnum moss that is damp in the favorite hide and that works well for me. Haven’t had any shed problems. I don’t even know what the humidity is.


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jautumn75 said:

Usually when I see they're in blue I cover 2/3rds of the screen lid with a moist towel to boost that humidity up to 60-70% and mine have always shed perfectly that way. (I've never had a snake go into a moist hide on their own) If you ever notice stuck shed, even just the tail let them swim in a warm bath for 45-60 mins and then let them wiggle through a damp towel and it should come right off. I had to do that for a friend of mine who got a ball python at the pet shop and he had shed stuck on his whole head. It was striking at everyone and I told her it's because he couldn't see. After I helped him he was as sweet as can be.

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Okay neat I’ll give the towel trick a try! I’m nervous about the humidity getting too high because of respitory infections. It’s been prettt dry here in Oregon this winter but it’s bormally plenty humid. But up to 70% should be okay during shed time? I’m sure my method wasn’t the best but she only needed abut 10 minutes max to soak her tail and the shed came off! She really hated it so for her I’d probably want to avoid even 45 minutes if I can! Oh wow poor guy!!!! That’s really awesome of you to get it off for him! That sucks for everyone involved but I’m glad he was good after!

Corning said:

When I see one of snakes in blue I put Sphagnum moss that is damp in the favorite hide and that works well for me. Haven’t had any shed problems. I don’t even know what the humidity is.


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Oh thats cool!! I actually just bought some sphagnum moss and have been using it in the corners of their enclosures dry. That’s awesome it’s worked so well I will try that as well! They still go in their hides with the damp moss in there? And I don’t know what you use for substrate but if it’s like aspen do you keep it from getting wet? I’m a little paranoid about mold

I was worried about mold too I wet the moss and squeeze it out really well. It’s usually dry in 2-3 days. I keep doing that till he sheds then I throw it out. Once every 1-2 mo I clean all the “stuff” in the tank with a drop of dawn rinse very well and let air dry a couple hours before I put it back. I have never seen any mold.


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Maybe have it familiarize with yourself first so he knows that you are no harm. Continue to feed it and if you are feeling cautious, use a hook. He will eventually warm up hopefully.

Corning said:

I was worried about mold too I wet the moss and squeeze it out really well. It’s usually dry in 2-3 days. I keep doing that till he sheds then I throw it out. Once every 1-2 mo I clean all the “stuff” in the tank with a drop of dawn rinse very well and let air dry a couple hours before I put it back. I have never seen any mold.


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That’s wonderful thank you!

regnar said:

Maybe have it familiarize with yourself first so he knows that you are no harm. Continue to feed it and if you are feeling cautious, use a hook. He will eventually warm up hopefully.

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Thanks! He's doing really good so far

Ranger shed today and it was complete!
His first since being rescued. It took him 9 days to complete after he went blue. He ate well tonight and definitely looks healthier. What a difference a month makes!
First pic is just a shot of him at the time he was rescued (for comparison).
The other pics are from today, after his current shed.

He just looks so much better!!! Glad to hear all is going well