Bitting

[benjim]

I haven't gotten to holding my snake in a week or two and now when ever I go near him he tries to bite me I don't feel like trying to get him used to me and getting bit every time! Is there any way to get him used to me without getting bit!

 

[Jdog3131]

is he shedding?how old is he?

maybe he just needs to be handled a little.

 

[Lyion]

Even if he does bite it should be painless. Try firm movements. Unfortunatly, You will have to handle him...and if he is shedding, then he def will bite!

 

[benjim]

He not shedding, and he's not ababy any more so it does hurt, I've tried a few things and he seems to be warming up to me! And I've held him but put him back down if his tail starts shaking and he starts hissing at me. And things have started to get better! But I think to get him completely comfortable will take about four more days of 30-40 minute handling!
I will definentaly try firm movements! Seems like a good idea thanks!

 

[Lyion]

He not shedding, and he's not ababy any more so it does hurt, I've tried a few things and he seems to be warming up to me! And I've held him but put him back down if his tail starts shaking and he starts hissing at me. And things have started to get better! But I think to get him completely comfortable will take about four more days of 30-40 minute handling!
I will definentaly try firm movements! Seems like a good idea thanks!

The important thing is to make sure your corn feels secure. When you grab him, reach under the bedding to grab him rather than grabbing the snake by part of him. I do suggest you buy a socialized snake next time, but I know this will be rewarding! My corn crawls into my hand! It seems to me he's mainly insecure is all

 

[Jdog3131]

wear gloves so you dont react and theres less heat coming from your hands.

 

[Fatman608]

Ben - this is going to sound stupid. Put a dirty pair of socks in the cage with him so he learns your smell. I like Jdog's idea of gloves but I would use dirty socks so the snake learns your smell will not hurt him. I hope my ideas work. I have never had a biting corn snake but I do have kingsnakes that think they can eat a FATMAN the only pain I feel is from the chewing.

Fatman

 

[Dreamsnake]

How is he outside the tank? If he only strikes at the intruding hands in the tank, try using a tool to grab him and transfer him to your hands. I've used a plastic whisk for hatchlings. My reptiles like it when my nails are painted. One of my snakes loves cherry blossom lotion, he will jump into my hands when I have it on.

My other trick is using plastic containers with holes cut into the lids as hides. That way I take up the hide, open it, and let the snake slither out into my hand.

He may simply be too hot, turn down his heat source a few degrees.

 

[fleapop]

How is he outside the tank? If he only strikes at the intruding hands in the tank, try using a tool to grab him and transfer him to your hands. I've used a plastic whisk for hatchlings. My reptiles like it when my nails are painted. One of my snakes loves cherry blossom lotion, he will jump into my hands when I have it on.

My other trick is using plastic containers with holes cut into the lids as hides. That way I take up the hide, open it, and let the snake slither out into my hand.

He may simply be too hot, turn down his heat source a few degrees.

I know this isn't my thread,
but,
I have a question, for you, so you know I have a new corn, he likes to go into his hide, and he goes all the way into it, I can usually pick it up with him inside (this is how I originally removed him from his cage to clean it) now, if I do that would it be less likely that he would bite me because he is not in the right 'striking' position, or is it possible that he could and would still bite? Whenever I open the cage when he is in his hide he starts rattling his tail. and i am sure if I picked it up he would get even more angry.

Thanks!!!

 

[toxiclight]

Fleapop, what kind of hide do you use? The only time our adult female has struck she was actually in her hide (a Capri Sun box). She rattled a warning but the bf got a finger too close and she gave an additional warning. Now we just kind of slide her out of her box and she's fine.

She's actually far easier to pick up in her hide and slide out...otherwise she tends to wrap her tail around parts of her viv to bring it with her (like her water bowl =P)

I guess what I'm saying is yes, it's possible for them to strike when they're not in a classic striking position...but it's not anger that's causing the rattling. Sometimes it's fear (from the sounds of the condition your snake was in when you got it, I'm going to say this is the most likely possibility)...other times they just don't want to be bothered.

The bites don't really hurt, so I don't worry about it.

 

[benjim]

I'll try the glove and socks thing and I'll definentally use secure hands too.

 

[fleapop]

if you look at the pictures I posted before, there is a Ceramic Buddah planter thing in the cage, and that is what he crawls in. it came with him and that is what he was inside when he got here so I just left it in there with him.

 

[Lyion]

if you look at the pictures I posted before, there is a Ceramic Buddah planter thing in the cage, and that is what he crawls in. it came with him and that is what he was inside when he got here so I just left it in there with him.

:-offtopic XD jk^^ bur It probobly won't bite and the thing about most snakes, corns especially is that they won't bite if you aren't fearful of it biting you. Use firm movements. If it does bite, it's nearly painless.