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New adult corn snake biting/scared

V

vane505

New member
Hello everyone,

I'm new to cornsnakes, and after some research I decided to adopt an adult Corn Snake from a local breeder. I've let the snake be alone/haven't disturbed him for about a week to give him time to adjust to his new home with success (it can now comfortably rest out of hiding).

I was to pick him up today for the first time. I have for the last two days had my hand inside the terrarium and moves around a bit for him to get used to my smell and prescense. Today, I started by putting my hand close to the snake, and when I touched him he was kind of startled. I tried to pick him in which he replied with a strike and almost bit me.

Should I maybe be more quick when I try to pick him up (give it less time to think)? Maybe I'm scaring him more by stalling/"feeling around" the terrarium? Appreciate any help I can get :)
 
Yes, just reach in and grab him. The more you chase him around, the more nervous he'll be.

Small snakes will twitch and jump when you touch them, but even my bigger one (who's super calm) will pull that portion of his body away when I touch him. They just don't like being touched when they're in the terrarium. Once out, they're okay. Well, maybe the little ones are still a little twitchy.

I like to hook a finger under the upper part of their body near the head. They start to run as soon as I touch them, and if I've started high enough on their body, I have enough time to grab them before they're gone. You and snake will figure it out. :)
 
The quicker the better. All my snakes are very docile except for one. With the docile snakes I just lift the middle of their body up and then they start moving forward. I then use my other hand to let them slither onto it. Most of the time they crawl out onto me and I don't even have to pick them up!

My not so docile snake, I generally use a snake hook with him because it's faster. But sometimes I just grab him. I use one hand to distract him and grab him with the other. Once he is out he huffs and puffs and puts on a show of aggression. But usually doesn't bite.

Don't worry if he does bite you. It doesn't hurt too much. The fear of being bitten is worse than the actual bite.
He may not bite you though. You may have just scare him. But if he does bite, don't put him down right away. He will learn that is how to get his way.
 
Almost any of my normally "tame" snakes will bite if I'm doing any sketchy, hesitant reaching into their vivs. It's best to open the viv, reach in and pick up calmly. If I offered my hand for smelling, I'd get bit at least 50% of the time.

But- he doesn't know you or feel safe with you. Get a good meal in him before doing any major handling, then after he has digested for two or three days take him out and just relax with him, letting him sit on you and watch a TV show or two. (Be ready for him to poop!)
 
Scoop! :) Scoop up your snake confidently and steadily. If you think the snake will strike, just go with that thought - but don't be scared. Try thinking "ok, s/he is going to strike" and expect it. That way, if they actually do strike, you will just keep following through with scooping up your snake (with both hands, on either side) and not hesitate.
This worked for a my very defensive snake, who is no longer defensive. She doesn't even try to slither away from me anymore, she just accepts it.
Mind you, every snake is different and may react differently to techniques. But it might be worth a shot!
Good luck :)
 
I always have that problem with my snake, the fear of getting bit, I hate it cause I go and grab him but I just so nervous that he'll bite me.
 
Thank you everyone for your help, it has helped! I now pick him up with more determination and he hasn't tried to bite me yet.
 
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