Why is my corn snake scared of me?

There are two reasons a snake will strike at you. It’s either afraid for its own safety, or it thinks you are offering food. The fear factor will diminish over time, as your corn snake gets used to being handled. When you use a snake hook to lift an aggressive snake, it will generally calm down right away.

How do I get my corn snake to trust me?

Hold your hand in front of your snake’s head so it gets used to you. Snakes recognize things by smell, so your snake needs to get comfortable around your scent. Try holding your hand about 3–4 in (7.6–10.2 cm) away from your snake’s head so it can smell you.

How do I know if my corn snake is scared?

Head retracted, neck coiled into ‘S’ shape: Snake feels threatened and is preparing to defend itself if necessary. May also be preparing to strike at prey. Hissing: Snake is telling you to “go away.” Tail shaking/rattling: Snake feels threatened and is trying to scare away the perceived predator.

Does my corn snake recognize me?

Because snakes have a good sense of smell and good hearing, they may recognize and remember their owners. For example, ball pythons and corn snakes are generally accepted as being easy to handle and friendly.

How do you pick up a corn snake for the first time?

As you pick it up, hold as much of its body as you can, and avoid grabbing the tail or restraining the head. Once the snake is in your hands and out of its enclosure, hold it close to your body and gently guide its movements with your hands. Corn snakes like to explore, so expect it to start climbing up your arms.

What do snakes do when scared?

Snakes typically react to handling with fear or, if they are calm and relaxed, curiosity. Frightened snakes typically do not move very much, or they retreat to defensive postures. Curious snakes are not in a state of acute fear, and crawl around slowly and deliberately, flicking their forked tongues frequently.

How do you destress a snake?

How to Calm Down a Snake

1. Move Slowly. Quick movements can frighten snakes and send them into fight or flight mode.
2. Good Behavior. Snakes typically react to handling with fear or, if they are calm and relaxed, curiosity.
3. Guide, Don’t Restrain.
4. Cutting Your Losses.
5. Provide a Comforting Home.