Hello, it has been a while since I last posted, but I am having some behavior issues with my corn snake. Every time I put my hand in to take him out just to hold it, or feed, it keeps moving close to my hand or arm pretty quickly as if to strike. I am starting to think I wont be able to get my and in without having a problem. Any ideas on whats happening and what to do?
Thanks

Do you feed him in the cage, or in a tub? How often do you feed? How big is the prey animal? He could be hungry .....

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Warmest Regards from Lyn

What is the enclosure setup like. What size corn are we talking about? Are you just putting your hand in for it to crawl on? When I get one of our snakes out I will usually pick it up from behind the head with one hand and them support the rest of the body with my other hand until it feels secure. I have one common who like to play ms. big shot, hissing and opening her mouth, but once you get her out of the cage she is fine. I have to become dominate and not show any fear. Other time she is a real sweet heart.

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Colleen

My IJCP had similar issues when I first got her, but she was fine after I got her out of the cage. Kinda understandable, you'd probably freak if someone came in your home and yanked you out. If you're afraid of getting nipped, you might want to come up with a snake stick/snake hook and use that to ease your friend out, then handle him once you get him out of his tank.

To Lyn, I do not feed my snake in the cage. I feed it a fuzzy 1-2 per week and it is just the right size.

To Colleen, my corn is probably 1 year old or so, I got it in August. My tank setup is 2ft 6in long, 1ft 1in wide, and 1ft high with aspen bedding. Im usually taking it out to hold or to feed it. Like you said, once I take it out of the cage it doesnt have anymore problems, just is a bit jumpy at first.

Thanks for the advice on what to do.

Does the snake actually "S" up and strike or just move toward you? It may just be curious and coming to investigate. I have certain snakes that, as soon as the top moves on the enclosure, come my way and will actually come right out of the tank to me.

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Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!

Yes, sometimes when I try to take it out it would have a sort of s shape with its head right at my hand. Also, sometimes when I would go to look at it, it would come out with the head aimed right at my face. Kinda weird.

Is it a really tight "s" or is it more loose and relaxed?
It's possible that you are misinterpreting the behavior. When the snake does this again, try presenting the either the back or palm of your hand to the snake and see what happens. Keep your hand flat and present the widest part either front or back head on to the snake and see what happens. By keeping your hand open flat and the fingers pressed together this will not give much to get hold of if he does decide to strike and it will most likely just hit your hand with his nose and retract.

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Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!

Well it is between a tight and losse S shape. I will try out the thing with my hand and see what happens. Thanks for your help.

No problem. The fear of possibly being bitten is one of the thngs that some of us have trouble overcoming. And its natural to wish to avoid being bitten! I would rather not!
But particularly with something like a corn, the nervousness about possibly getting bitten is much worse than an actual bite itself!
Speaking from personal experience here!

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Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!