Bad handling?

[Symphony_grace]

I've been handling all 3 of my corn snakes for a few weeks:
Lil bit the Abbots okeetee
Anders the snow corn, and
Fred the okeetee.
I handle them on Wednesdays (sometimes), Thursdays, and Fridays, since their feedings all are on Saturdays at lunchtime (I eat when they eat!). I check on them once or twice a day to make sure they're ok and living decently. Just today I let the abbots and snow crawl freely in a potted plant hanging on my patio so they can have some fresh air and relax with mother nature (Fred is too big for it so he basks in the sunlight in my arms). I feed anders and lil bit in different containers, while fred is fed in his tank since I can't take my mom's tuberware and use it (She is terrified of snakes!!!!) and she would be furious if I did. And anders loves getting warm in my hair. He never falls off and acts like he's king of me Now, Lil bit fell off my shoulder once. She drifted off my shoulder too far and, being near my sink, she fell in the sink. She was freaked out so I immediately put her in her tank so I don't scare her any farther. Fred just hangs off like he's drunk :cheers:

The reason for all this information is that Lil bit and anders still flinch when I put my hand near them (Offering a ride up or escape from places) and try to pick them up from my hair or the plant. Am I doing something wrong, or does it truly take much time for them to get used to me? I know all 3 improved their shyness towards me as they do not flinch when I pick them up from their tanks, but other than that they flinch. Much information is needed for this beginner!

 

[WingedSweetheart]

They may calm down more. Or they may stay like that. Most of my snakes have calmed down with handling. Only one is calm enough to let me manipulate her with no objections. Two still twitch when I try to direct their movement. Then one is a complete psycho no matter how much handling. So, my point being is it could just be their personaliry.

 

[Symphony_grace]

I really hope so. I don't want to make them fearful of me.

 

[schnebbles]

I wouldn't worry. I don't get mine out much and they try to escape when I go to get them, but once they are out they are totally fine. I think I need to get the one out a bit more though b/c he was not happy when I got him out the other night before feed time. All of my others just try to slither away but I get them and they want to explore around when they come out.

 

[Dracoluna]

They can be that way for awhile especially if they are young. Also, personality plays a big part in it.
The way I have gotten some of mine ready for demonstrations/shows is that I handle them all over even if they flinch. Don't stop unless they are truly getting upset. For example, one of my younger boys is now settled to where I can touch his body without any issues but we're working on his head. I'll take him out, start by 'squeezing' his body a bit and then work my way towards his head. He's getting better by the day with me handling his head though because it's consistent and he knows he's never been hurt. It's just a matter of getting them so used to it that it overrides their instincts to shy away. Just be patient. Though several of mine are able to be handled by anyone, there are a couple that just don't adapt at all. I have an '11 amel girl who's parents I use for education but she still tries to eat me every time I'm nearby. It's a fear reaction from her but she's handled everyday. That's just her personality. One of her brothers was taken out the other day and handled by several kids at a demonstration. This included a 2 year old who actually dropped him and he just kept going like there was nothing wrong. Like the others said, just give them time and if you're consistent with them, they will learn that it's ok.