Handling advice needed

[RubikAce]

So I made an account just to ask this since I didn't find sufficient info anywhere. I have a baby corn snake, about 6 months old. I've had him (I actually don't know whether it's male or female, I just refer to it as 'he') for a few months now and he's doing very well, except when it comes to handling him. I'm aware that young snakes are often very nervous, but mine goes into full panic mode. I use a snake hook to lift up his front end - which he seems to be completely cool with - and then slide my hand underneath him to support the rest of his body. As soon as my hand touches him he starts to flail around like a maniac, does these crocodile death rolls and even once whipped around and bit me. Eventually he does calm down when I've ditched the hook and just let him move from one hand to another, but the initial reaction is just so over the top. Since he has no regard for his own safety, I do occasionally have to hold him still while I position my other hand to keep him from falling, and this makes him kick off again. I know that he doesn't like it when I have to hold him in place, but if I have no doubt he'd make a run for it if I didn't.

So yeah, basically my question here is, what can I do to make the handling less stressful for him? I only handle him about every other day (except two days after feeding, of course). Is it just lack of handling or am I doing something wrong?

 

[Karl_Mcknight]

...... I'm aware that young snakes are often very nervous, but mine goes into full panic mode. I use a snake hook to lift up his front end - which he seems to be completely cool with - and then slide my hand underneath him to support the rest of his body. As soon as my hand touches him he starts to flail around like a maniac, does these crocodile death rolls and even once whipped around and bit me. Eventually he does calm down when I've ditched the hook and ........

You've answered your own questions.

Baby snakes are food for predators. Big birds, Hawks, Owls, Skunks, Raccoons, Bears, all eat snakes. Most of the time, the predator attacks the snake from above.

Your baby snake sees you as this "Big menacing Creature" coming in from above.... a predator. Your snake goes into full panic mode, he's scared to death.

It's not necessarily anything you're doing wrong, he's just a baby and you are much bigger. He has to learn who you are. He has to learn your smell, your taste and the way you look. He does not know you yet, or trust you. All that will come with time. The more you handle him the easier it will get, unless you are harming him, and if that's the case then you might make things worse.

Try to approach him the same way every time. Don't just sneak up on him and surprise him, let him know you're "Coming in" to his area. Let him smell you and see you. Try to pick him up from the side or underneath rather than coming down from above. Don't squeeze him. Handle him gently. Rub his belly, talk to him, let him explore through your fingers.

Some people would say that last bit is silly, snakes can't hear, and they only tolerate our handling them, they don't like it so belly rubbing won't work.....

Bull Crap.

Snakes are smarter than we give them credit for and they are capable of learning just like any other animal.

I always tap on the cage door a few times before opening the door. It's a signal that I am coming in. He usually is watching me anyway, but in case he's not, this let's him know. My snake is so calm now, I can just reach in and grab him, most of the time if I just open the door, he will crawl out to me. I talk to him just like i would a dog or cat, he loves to have his belly rubbed, and he understands today that I am the one that brings him mice, I am the one that gives him fresh water, I am the one that cleans his cage, I am the one that rubs his belly, I am the one that takes him out and plays with him....etc... He knows I won't hurt him, so he doesn't freak out anymore.

 

[RubikAce]

Thank you for the reply! I guess it just takes time for him to become more comfortable. I had to handle him today and put him in his travel box while I cleaned the terrarium, and even though there was the initial reaction to my touch it was nowhere near as bad as it has been. I picked up his front end with the snake hook like usually, but since he had been in the warm end of the terrarium he was even more lively than usually and decided to climb up the hook. I allowed it since I thought maybe it would be the ticket to making handling easier, and it kind of was. I let him crawl from the hook onto my hand and even though he wasn't happy with being held still while I put the hook aside he didn't do the full flailing around like usually. Eventually he calmed down just fine, though I did have some trouble trying to keep him from crawling up my sleeve I might have to give him a warm towel roll to chill in the next time, I'm way too ticklish to allow him into my sleeves

 

[Karl_Mcknight]

........ Eventually he calmed down just fine, though I did have some trouble trying to keep him from crawling up my sleeve I might have to give him a warm towel roll to chill in the next time, I'm way too ticklish to allow him into my sleeves

LOL you better get used to snakes crawling in your sleeves, pants, down your shirt...etc.....