My corn snake is a nasty bugger!

[Andy]

I got a corn snake a few months ago, EVERY time I go near it it gets on the attack and rattles and strikes with its mouth open
its abit of a pain when I want to handle it.

The only real time I can get it is when it is on the retreat or spread out then it cant strike!

What is its problem? (appart from me)

 

[smokejuan]

If you find out let me know. I had a large one and it struck everytime I put my hand in there. I took it to the petshop and traded it for a baby corn snake color variation. White and red with pink eyes, Amil or something like that. When I was picking it out of the 10 that was in the cage a few acted aggressive. I took my time handling each one until I thought I found the one that was most docile. It lasted about 2 months before it started the same behavior. They say these are good snakes for kids and class rooms....hmmm. I have been told you need to handle then more often so I geuss when you are home you need to pack them around with you while you are cleaning house or something. One thing you should do or rather not do is feed any snake in its own cage. Always take it out and put it in something else to feed it. I would use the same container each time you feed it.This way the cage is considered the home and the other container is the place to get food as far the snake is concerned. Help reduce strikes when putting your hand in cage with your pet. Unfortunately my corn snake did not read that book.

 

[misfitsfiend]

Mine has never done such a thing and I have never seen a corn that displays that kind of behavior.:?

 

[mybabyhasfangs]

It's nothing you are doing, I've had several nasty corns over the past 10 years. And they were nasty buggers too! Did you get it as baby or was it a little bigger? I do think handling has something to do with it, all of my satan corns were not handled as babies and just fed. Some of our babies popped out of the egg with attitude but not many.

Sorry to hear you got one with an attitude. It's not fun to deal with. If he displays and you need to get him out, nudge him with something to get him moving.

Most corns are not like this, but there is an exception to every rule!

Christina

 

[Andy]

It was about 2ft when i got it I think
It was kept with about 5 others
Is it always going to be a bastard?

What are the like when they bite?
Are the grippers or quick release?

 

[Cirith Ungol]

Grip or quick release depends on (not only the snakes mood but also on) if it's a food or defense response. The latter more being a quick thrust IME.

Do your aggro corns have hides? May the temp be too high? Just check those things, but none of the above provide any "cures", maybe just less mood swings.

 

[ingas866]

Try tank size. If the tank is to small they feal threatend all the time when you put your hand in. All so try to feed it more you may not be giveing this one the right amount. Corns are not always that bad. Over 15 years of working and breeding them I have had only a few that would bite all the time.

 

[bengerno]

Maybe their tank is in a wrong place.
I had a mad one too, and I get him to a friend...after all he turned to a very calm guy... maybe it was because of changing environment.

 

[ReptileMan27]

It could be a number of things, the fact that it was housed with 5 other corns is a very bad sign. Snakes are solitary animals and keeping more then 1 snake together is very dangerous and dumb. Chances are it was never really handled and is not use to being handled, so it will take some time and patience. If your worried about being bitten then wear gloves. It should calm down, I have never seen an aggressive cornsnake before, babys can be nippy and nervous like all baby snakes and if there not use to being handled then they can be aggressive. If its been handled then you dont have to worry about an aggressive corn. Good luck

 

[Daisey_Boo222]

one thing that might help is to (whenever you feed it,) Take it out of its enclosure and into a smaller one. If your just dropping a mouse into the cage and letting it eat like that, Every time you open the cage, he'll think its meal time. After doing this routene (sp) he should calm down...then again your snake may just be crazy....

 

[garysumpter]

Also

Also, make sure you dont have a stong deodorant or aftershave. If you wash your hands with soap / handwash, make sure you wash all the smell away as snakes can really dislike that!

Gary

 

[Andy]

OK Just bought another hide for it, now I have two where should they both be placed?
Considering I have a warm side and a cool side.

 

[MindUtopia]

I think you have the right idea. Put one on the cool side and one on the warm side. I have mine pressed up against the back wall of the enclosure so there is less chance of me banging into him right where he is hiding in passing. Also, one thing I try to do that may help, besides regular handling, is to only attempt to handle when he is already out and about. Picking up the hide or reaching into it when he is already feeling shy and reclusive might be grounds for a defensive strike. That's what I do with mine and so far so good, he's never tried to nip at me. Good luck!

Karen

 

[Denisthemenace]

andy i posted a helpfull reply on your other thread so go take a look.

 

[hamfoto]

I hear ya'...I've had snakes my whole life and the meanest damn snake I've ever had was a corn snake. And I've heard this from others as well...not necesarily the image one thinks off when they are considered a "great" first snake.

 

[Nate]

I have a California King snake and he is nasty too. He was a foot long when I purchased him 5 months ago.

I try handling him in hopes to tame him but he only gets worse. How long and frequent should be my handling sessions be?

 

[Denisthemenace]

roughly 15-30 min