Nice snake turned mean!

[Alias47]

The first time he bit, it drew blood on me so I haven't felt comfortable with him without gloves. I will continue to hold him everday and hope that he tames with time.

He is only 12 weeks old and he drew blood? I'm having a hard time with this.
But anyway, if he's obviously not calming down, I would leave him alone for a bit, maybe until the first shed,and then resume a normal handling routine. I have mixed feelings on the glove thing. If it helps you be more relaxed, fine but try to get over it soon so the snake can recognize your scent. JMO

I would have to agree with this completely...
I have a couple of 04's that had a strike thing for a while...and if given the chance still will...only when I hesitate and give them a chance to try and strike. Be confident and move deliberately. Reach in and "grab" them (gently please!) but do it quickly and don't pull back...they will sense this...or something... I regularly hold both of the guys that were doing this for me...and they are very docile...but I have actually had both of them strike and hit the GLASS on their tanks trying to get me on the other side after being agitated...and they hit hard. Just seeing my body move in the distance...really evil...but I have never used gloves with either...and readily pick them both up out of their enclosures.

 

[mbdorfer]

Derek's right, I think they are better than dogs when it comes to sensing fear. Let the snake "think" he is intimidating you and its all over. Fortunately, they don't remember this and you can go back and try again in an hour or two. LOL

 

[Alias47]

One of the advantages of having a brain the size of a pea. LOL

 

[Feegore]

Mine is doing the same thing. Its a 6 month old ghost, and for the first few weeks I had him, he was extremely calm and was easy to handle. Now everytime I go to handle him, he goes into strike posistion and bites me. I'm not nervous to handle him, so I don't think thats it. I also feed him two large pinkies every five days, and put fresh water in everyday, so thats not it either. I think he may be getting ready to shed, as his colors have gotten somewhat dull, but I am not sure. I just wanted to find some sort of answer to see why he is so cranky.

 

[Alias47]

Most of my corns will get defensive if I don't take them out of their tank immediately when handling them...

They may run...or coil...I just pick them up and quickly remove them from their environment...and they calm right down.

It seems most of my hatchlings have gone through this phase at SOME point...but all are very easily handled now...although some will still take a defensive posture if I give them time...and put my hand in front of them.

 

[krazykarl777]

My new 5 month old Okeetee male is doing this too... I think he's got the idea in his little head that he's a rattle snake, but i think i'm making some progress with him. I was kinda hesitant about him trying to bite me at first, but now i just laugh at him, lol... Doesn't hurt at all. The only real annoying thing is i can't get him to really calm down yet, all he wants to do is get away, but i've only had him for about a week, so i'll just keep trying to handle him whenever i can.

He seems pretty healthy, though... I just fed him his first pinky and he downed the thing like nothing.