AboutPaul Expertise I can answer specific questions about colubrid snakes (kingsnakes, milksnakes, corn snakes, and Eastern Indigos). I can also answer general question regarding husbandry (feeding, shedding, housing) for most other types of snakes.
I am not an expert in boas or ball pythons so you might consider asking one of the other experts specific questions about these.
**Be sure to read my past answers as you may find your answer there. I receive many of the same questions from different users.**
Experience I have six years of experience in the keeping and breeding of common snakes.
Expert: Paul Date: 6/10/2008 Subject: agitated corn snake
Question Dear Paul,
I have a corn snake that is about 5 months old. He is normally very friendly and loves to be held (for the first three months I held him every day to ensure this). He has never had a problem with me holding him or anyone else for that matter. Lately I went through a move between apartments, and because of the move, I decided not to feed him on his regular day (the day after the move) because I was afraid he would be too upset to eat as he seemed quite stressed already. I waited three days before I fed him. I also didn't hold him during that time as he was frantically running laps around his cage (which he has never done before). Then a couple days ago I went to hold him for a little while before I fed him. He struck at me! I assumed it was probably because he was hungry, so I put his food in the cage and left him alone. Paul, he lept at the food and attacked it like it was going to kill him! I left him alone for two days after that because he had just eaten. Yesterday I went to hold him again and he started rattling his tail. He also got up like he was going to strike again. I left my hand in the cage and stayed still, hoping he would calm down after a minute or two. Instead, he raced away from me and buried himself in the chips. I waited a few hours and tried again, only to get the same response. Is this because of the move? I'm afraid to hold him now because he's always ready to strike! Please help me.
Answer I would first check his cage temp and make sure it isn't too hot. A high temp can mean a high-strung snake. Second, are you sure that you're feeding him enough. Does the food item make a lump that takes a day or two to disappear, and you're feeding him at least once a week unless he's in shed. If both of these things are ok, then it was probably the move as you suspected. The only think that you can do is continue holding him and try to calm him down. Once his last meal has digested for 3 days, turn off the heat in his tank so that it becomes room temp and then hold him. A cool snake is less active and less likely to bite. Lastly, buy yourself a pair of gardening gloves to handle him with. Use them until he calms down and you feel comfortable with him again.
Good Luck!
