A Scared Corn Snake

[blackcrystal22]

I have a corn snake named Aya.
She's a good 3-4 year old adult and I got her about two years ago. Shes a vicious eater and healthy as could be. Her colors are absolutely gorgeous too. I love crimsion corns.
http://s23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...ent=snake2.jpg
I know shes a female because she layed eggs a week after I got her. Unfortunately they molded and didn't hatch. :[

Well anyway, to the problem.
Shes not aggressive, shes never actually bitten me. However, she's extremely un-handleable and afraid. When I take her out just to transfer her to a smaller tub for cleaning she whips around and squirms like no other. I'm worried that sometimes she'll hurt herself when she whips like she does. I try to pick her up and hold her in more than one place but shes very long (3 1/2 ft) and a thinner type of snake.

I've tried to handle her but shes just SO incredibly skiddish its so difficult. She also defecates when shes real scared. She doesn't seem to have an effect to routine handling, even daily.

I'm lost on options here. Any ideas?

[Argentra]

You're putting her down before she stops squirming, right? She's learned that squirming gets her what she wants.

When you handle her, do so in a quiet dim place sitting down. Just do the hand over hand method as she whips and squirms. Once she shows signs of calming down, even a little, go ahead and put her away. Keep this up and have her out a little longer as she calms each time. Eventually she should settle down once in your hands.

I had an adult that would do that and he has mostly settled now. I also have a baby that I'm working with, but it's harder with them because they're so small and fragile.

That's my suggestion, at any rate.

[blackcrystal22]

You're putting her down before she stops squirming, right? She's learned that squirming gets her what she wants.

When you handle her, do so in a quiet dim place sitting down. Just do the hand over hand method as she whips and squirms. Once she shows signs of calming down, even a little, go ahead and put her away. Keep this up and have her out a little longer as she calms each time. Eventually she should settle down once in your hands.

I had an adult that would do that and he has mostly settled now. I also have a baby that I'm working with, but it's harder with them because they're so small and fragile.

That's my suggestion, at any rate.

I shall try this.
I just wish I didn't worry about her pooping on me every time. Ugh.

At least its better than biting I suppose.

[ncbloods]

I shall try this.
I just wish I didn't worry about her pooping on me every time. Ugh.

At least its better than biting I suppose.

lol

Honestly I'll take the biting over the poo. Gloves will save you from being bitten, but nothing will save you from getting poo on you.

[Jenn]

Very good advice from Argentra. You have to be smarter than the snake. If you reward her each time she squirms by puting her down, you will only reinforce that behavior. Stick with it and at some point she will just give up. That's when you should put her down.