I have a corn snake about 12 weeks old. When I first got it the snake was very friendly and would let me handle him. A few weeks later one day I reached into his cage and he curled up in a striking postion and struck at my hand. After picking him up he continued to strike at my hand and bit me. Now everytime I put my hand in the cage to pick him up he coils up, rattles his tail and wants to bite! I don't know what to do or how to tame him. I thought by picking him up everyday even when he strikes over time would make him stop striking but he still continues to do so.
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Nice snake turned mean!
- Thread starter branbuch
- Start date
No, he hasn't shed yet. He was fed in the viv the very first time. Then I heard you aren't suppose to do that so I've done it in a different container since. Maybe he is getting ready to shed but it seems he's been this way for a few weeks now and I haven't noticed a change in his skin color. Maybe he is just a grumpy snake!
stefmc24
officially addicted
if it's been going on for a few weeks, it's probably not a shedding issue.
are you nervous when you pick him up? snakes can sense nervousness and tend to be more jumpy themselves. could also be how you are picking him up. if he feels threatened (going right at his head) he may try and strike.
is he eating/pooping normally? does he seem ok health-wise?
are you nervous when you pick him up? snakes can sense nervousness and tend to be more jumpy themselves. could also be how you are picking him up. if he feels threatened (going right at his head) he may try and strike.
is he eating/pooping normally? does he seem ok health-wise?
Well I don't mean like I was bleeding bad or anything but you could see the two bite marks and a little blood. I think he is about 12 weeks. I got him about a month and a half ago and he was a baby. I agree about the gloves but its a little freaky right now when he is so mad. Hopefully your right about the shedding and he will be back to his normal self. Thanks :spinner:
leia
New member
I sorta understand.
My snake wasn't being a meanie though. It could be my fault for not handling him as often as I should. When I was home over break, I was introducing him to my friend (a snake lover), and he handled the snake. He was rubbing his nose on my friends hand smelling furiously, then all of a sudden he struck at my friend's hand! It upset me very much, and I am still somewhat nervous with handling. We think it was a feeding response, since he was prolly sensing the heat, and it was not at all a viscious kind of thing. But still it upsets me & drew a bit of blood! I was VERY happy that it was a snake loving person he bit though, that guy has been bit by so many snakes before, he didn't care. I would have been real upset if it was me.
So yeah your situation is different, but I understand......
My snake wasn't being a meanie though. It could be my fault for not handling him as often as I should. When I was home over break, I was introducing him to my friend (a snake lover), and he handled the snake. He was rubbing his nose on my friends hand smelling furiously, then all of a sudden he struck at my friend's hand! It upset me very much, and I am still somewhat nervous with handling. We think it was a feeding response, since he was prolly sensing the heat, and it was not at all a viscious kind of thing. But still it upsets me & drew a bit of blood! I was VERY happy that it was a snake loving person he bit though, that guy has been bit by so many snakes before, he didn't care. I would have been real upset if it was me.
So yeah your situation is different, but I understand......
I guess he really gave you all he had. I used the glove trick on a recently acquired motley. I find this both embarassing and amusing. I have taken hits from full grown wild caughts that just hate life(LOL) and this little fella just intimidated the heck out of me. He is now a totally docile creature and has come to recognize me as a non threat, and maybe as "the guy who feeds me", but I doubt that part. Just give him a little time and I'm sure he'll come around. Post a pic when he does.
Chip
ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒ&
I feel ya. I have a photo on this website (that I have yet to download to this new computer) that illustrates hatching aggresion as well as could be captured on film! Look it up, a famous bite for a few weeks old corn! For the record, he pinpricked me enough to "see" blood regularly. TRY to not let the bites bother you from a tiny snake. Easier said than done, perhaps, but when you get that one "ah-ha" you'll be able to approach it in a whole new way every time. You will find that the grumpies are calmer sometimes than others. Nothing to do with shed, hunger, time of day, anything I could figure out. Just keep holding until it crawls around calmly in your hand. IT WILL. You just have to be patient. And realize that the bites are almost unnoticable if you didn't focus on the visual of a snake coiling, rattling, and biting you. The actual sensation is negligible. I encourage you so strongly because I remember snakes I had years ago that made me rethink the hobby! I would tremble putting a nasty little yearling Cal King back in it's viv, whereas if bitten by a six foot colubrid now, I just curse and call it a "dumb bastard". Not the stuff of Alfred Nobel, but big for a up and coming snake keeper!
sue frederick
New member
A few things to check....
How is your husbandry? what temps are you running? How do you measure them? What kind of thermometer and where is it located?
Do you have two small sized hides in his cage? Remember that snakes need to feel secure. He should be able to feel the sides of the hides against him. Baby cornsnakes seem to like empty toilet paper rolls that have been flattened a bit.
Is it possible that he is hungry? What happens if you offer two pinkies (or whatever size food he is on)?
How do you pick him up? Do you let him see you coming and kind of back off if he starts to coil up? The way that I do it is to just reach in and cup my hand over top of the snake and scoop him up. That way if he strikes, I don't see it. And they do seem to like it better that way.
These are just suggestions. Take them or leave them.
sue
How is your husbandry? what temps are you running? How do you measure them? What kind of thermometer and where is it located?
Do you have two small sized hides in his cage? Remember that snakes need to feel secure. He should be able to feel the sides of the hides against him. Baby cornsnakes seem to like empty toilet paper rolls that have been flattened a bit.
Is it possible that he is hungry? What happens if you offer two pinkies (or whatever size food he is on)?
How do you pick him up? Do you let him see you coming and kind of back off if he starts to coil up? The way that I do it is to just reach in and cup my hand over top of the snake and scoop him up. That way if he strikes, I don't see it. And they do seem to like it better that way.
These are just suggestions. Take them or leave them.
sue
Yes, he has hiding places although he seems to like it under his water dish the best. The temperature is fine for him and he regulates it himself. Sometimes he is by his heating pad and other times he is on the other side. He seems very healthy. I think cuping my hand over him to pick him up sounds like a good idea. That way if he does strike I can't see it. Thanks for your suggestions.
Godzilla2000
Queen of Monsters
Well, luckily all of my snakes haven't been very nippy. To some degree they are well acclimated with being handled. On the other hand my Male Cockatiel is starting to become a pretty nasty little thing. Incredible how the supposed creepy creatures are friendlier than the cute little cockatiel.
