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Originally Posted by 2Cavies&aSnake
(Please read my introduction post in the new members forum for important details) I recently took on my brother's cornsnake and we have had her for about 8 years and she has had a great temperament she would even weave through my little sister's glasses when she was smaller.
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Has she gone from a point of "Being Handled on a regular basis" to a point of "Long time - no handling" and then you stepped in and took over?
If a snake has not been handled in a long time, it can sort of revert back to an almost Wild State, and the taming process (Lots of Handling) will need to start over.
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Originally Posted by 2Cavies&aSnake
Until a few months ago when she tried to bite my dad when he tried to take her out to feed her (my parents have always fed her in a separate container from her tank- is that normal?) next feeding time she actually did bite him.
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Yes, feeding in a separate container is normal, ummm, well, to about half of snake owners. The other half will tell you not to. I would say, do what works best for the snake, and I have found with snakes, routine is always best. Do everything the same way, the snake will get used to you and the routine. If things are constantly changing, the snake will be confused and upset.
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Originally Posted by 2Cavies&aSnake
She has become so aggressive that we have purchased a snake hook to handle her. Can anyone give me any advice on how to handle the situation?
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I personally don't like the term "Aggressive" to describe snakes. Is she chasing you around the house? no? Then she's not aggressive. She is trying to "Defend herself." She sees "You and your Husband" as the aggressors. You are invading Her Space, Messing with her, Picking her up, and she wants to be left alone. The question is - Why does she want to be left alone?
Just to echo what DLena already said above. Something has changed in her routine or environment and it has her upset.
Has the cage been moved to a new location? Is she in a different cage? Are her temperatures incorrect? Is there a cat or dog or other animal near by that she can see or smell, or that is pestering her? Is she about to shed? Has it been a long time since she was handled?
I can tell you this - incorrect temps make for a cranky snake. If a snake is trying to shed, it's best to leave them alone until over. If a snake's cage or routine has changed, they need time to re-acclimate and get adjusted.