Calming her down..

[Riyeko]

Recently purchased (read last thursday), a beautiful amel cornsnake that is sub adult.
She is just awesome.

Got her and the other two i bought her with home safely and sat the tubs on the floor, just letting them relax from the huge car drive.

Anyway, I opened them up so my husband could see and the only one that was nasty was Missy (i renamed her since i couldnt pronounce the name the past owner gave).
Anywho, the other two were fine, heck the male miami phase was eager to get out and just threw a fit when I put him back in the tub.

After four days shouldnt she be a little bit easier to handle?
Recently shes just, pissy. I dont know how else to explain it.
She rattles her tail constantly making the whole tub vibrate, and she arches up like shes ready to bite someone.

My husband held her yesterday as we were cleaning and changing the water and said "well i guess she just doesnt like girls"... since hes the only one thats been able to hold her since I brought her home.

Is there anything I can do besides just leaving her alone for now (which we usually do anyway), to get her to calm down and get used to all the new noises and smells?

Any tips tricks or advice would be welcome. Thanks!

 

[Lyion]

People aren't supposed to handle snakes for at LEAST a week after purchasing. just leave her alone for now...

 

[crotalis40741]

Honestly and I may take slack for this but, The seven day is just a guideline not GOSPEL. You can give them a few days to settle in or what you want. Calming the snake down will just usually take patience and handling. Snakes are not as fragile as people let on for them to be. No I wouldn't suggest holding one right after a feeding.
Everyone has different ways of caring for thier snakes and no two people will agree on most things. I wish you the best with calming the snake down.

 

[Lyion]

Honestly and I may take slack for this but, The seven day is just a guideline not GOSPEL. You can give them a few days to settle in or what you want. Calming the snake down will just usually take patience and handling. Snakes are not as fragile as people let on for them to be. No I wouldn't suggest holding one right after a feeding.
Everyone has different ways of caring for thier snakes and no two people will agree on most things. I wish you the best with calming the snake down.

True ^^" I usually wait until they come out on their own.

 

[Jdog3131]

Throw in a semi-sweaty sock of yours, use your socks to handle her(unless she bites as her teeth would be caught on it). Also be very slow but steady in taking her out, maybe use a stick if your afraid to pick her up then hold her with your hands.

This worked when a very malnourished garter snake I found in the woods and took care of wouldn't calm down.

 

[Lyion]

Throw in a semi-sweaty sock of yours, use your socks to handle her(unless she bites as her teeth would be caught on it). Also be very slow but steady in taking her out, maybe use a stick if your afraid to pick her up then hold her with your hands.

This worked when a very malnourished garter snake I found in the woods and took care of wouldn't calm down.

Wow. My snakes would die if I did that lol. It does make sense though.

 

[Lennycorn]

Sounds like the snake and you just need a little more time to get to know each other. A little stressed maybe. Not clear on your setup tho. Tubs on the ground. ???

I would handle the snake for a short period til it got use to you. For how long or every day?? Can't tell with out seeing the snake reaction to you.
You say if seem OK with the hubby. So?????

 

[beautifullywild77]

Ummm.. I wouldn't suggest a sweaty sock.... thats just ummm nasty IMO I have heard to put a tshirt in with the snake but that was for an anxiety like behavior. I did try that with our spotted python while my son was at his dads over the Christmas break. It seemed to work for the most part. Serj did stop pacing his viv.

I would let em settle down especially after a transfer of owners and then the long car ride she seems just stressed. Give her a few days and then start handling her for about 15-20 mins a day and then you can increase it depending on if she seems to settle.

Some snakes will always be fiesty no matter what or how often you handle them I have one that seems to be out for blood everytime I open his tank.

 

[Jdog3131]

I meant more like a sock that Mather you went somewhere with for a few hours, not socked or even damp.

 

[Riyeko]

Our reptile friend suggested we go for a workout, or sweat a lot or something, and throw that in with her.
Honestly I really dont want to throw anything that has my sweat (and germs and everything else nasty on it), into a snake enclosure.
Just seems, gross and inviting problems.

And when I said "tubs on the ground" theyre kept sort of in a closet on the top shelf so they get most of the heat going up there (as well as stuff from their own heaters).
I didnt mean that I kept them directly on the floor... none of my snakes are on the floor (except the huge 7ft long boa in the 200gallon aquarium).

But I had to take her out this last weekend since, we really needed to clean their cages (thank my brother for his "expert techniques" in taking them down, spilling their water bowls all over the aspen), and i kind of took a towel and grabbed her head.
She wasnt very happy with it, and she did nip me on the arm, but I got her into a safe area, fed her and cleaned out her cage.
Makes me sad when one of my reptiles dont like me, since I love handling all of my animals.

As with the "7 days after they get home is gospel"... meh. I kind of judge it on my own. Normally I take snakes out maybe 10-15 minutes after I get home (or receive them in the mail), and handle them since I can take a closer look without the ups/fedex guy standing over me, or the person i bought them from.
Then I leave them in their new enclosures until I see they are more interested in what im doing than just hiding or curling up.
Then I handle them.