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Mean young corn snake

E

evan4770

New member
I got this corn two weeks ago. He is probably a month and a half to three months old, and whenever I try to pick him up and he rattles his tail, hisses and strikes at me. When I finally pick him up he squirms like crazy. I have an adult corn and two kings so I'm not new to snakes but I've never had to tame down a snake.
Thanks to anyone who can help.

P.S. It isn't just acting like a baby snake where they don't stay still when you hold them. This snake is squirming for his life and I'm afraid he will hurt himself.
 
As they age they usually calm down some and regular handling will help as well. There really isn't a trick to it, just don't let the little worm psych you out. :)
 
He isn't mean, he's terrified. Once he figures out you mean him no harm he will calm down. Try holding him in your closed hand, cuddled up against your body rather than letting him dangle or squirm around. When you go to take him out, if you can just lift his hide and scoop him out without "hunting him down" he is less likely to get all freaked out by you catching him.
 
I had a baby snake like that a few year ago. I fed him carefully every week and he grew faster than any snake I had every seen. One night he got out and ate my wife. But other than that he has been a great snake. I still have him.
 
wade said:
I had a baby snake like that a few year ago. I fed him carefully every week and he grew faster than any snake I had every seen. One night he got out and ate my wife. But other than that he has been a great snake. I still have him.
Click to expand...

OMG Wade! :roflmao:
 
Excellent advice from Nanci there. In the snake's eyes, YOU'RE the big mean scary dangerous thing that he needs to keep away. You just have to spend time convincing him you're safe. Occasionally you come across one that simply won't tolerate handling, but these are very rare if you're patient.


...and meet Wade - he's our resident comedy turn!
 
With my baby corn is the same, she didn't strike but was in the S position and want to strike and when I pick her up she start to squirm. She is slowly calming down, probably because she understand that if I handle her she will eat :p
 
wade said:
I had a baby snake like that a few year ago. I fed him carefully every week and he grew faster than any snake I had every seen. One night he got out and ate my wife. But other than that he has been a great snake. I still have him.
Click to expand...

Care to do a breeder loan with that guy? :grin01:
 
The problem is that he will squirm and squirm for as long as I'm holding him. He will not stop and it's impossible to get him to stop moving. it was a miracle I got him into his feeding container this week. Someone told me something about putting him in a snake bag and keeping him under my sweatshirt so he gets used to my smell. Is this a good idea?
Thanks to anyone with any ideas.
 
Babies are like that. He will grow out of it in time. Frequent handling will help. I’ve heard about putting them under your shirt. It may help, don’t do it if you feel you are stressing the snake. He will get better, but remember, it will never be a puppy or a kitten. Think of it more as a goldfish, it is not really going to like to be held.
 
I know that when taming gerbils the best results were from consistant, patient, daily handling. I had a 9week old mouse I handraised that would jump into my hand when reached in his tank.
I know snakes and rodents are different, but I dont think that the sweater idea is going to shave much time off of the adjusting peroid... having never heard of it I dont really know. My best advice just keep trying. be as calm, gentil, and consistant as you can. One day (it may be a few months from now, so relize this is a long term project) he may not squirm the entire time you hold him. Everytime you hold him you are a small step closer to your goal. :)
 
I had one last year I called Striker because well thats what he did..i was struck at hissed at tail shaked and bit by him.not to mention the head shaking striky thing he used to do..he looked like a phycho snake.but i wasnt gonna let him get the best of me...i would be very slow and deliberate in my movements letting him investigate my hands and arms..i was always sitting on the floor in a quiet room and little by little he became acustomed to that and soon he was such a puppy dog the name striker puzzled my friends.. so be patient and consistant and soon your little snake will get to know your not gonna hurt him..
 
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