if he hasn't been handled alot during the past year, and then has been moved to a new environment, definitely sounds like a stressed out corn to me. A few suggestions.. I've heard that putting a piece of clothing with your scent on it into the cage helps the snake become accustomed to you. when you do go into his cage, try to touch everything to get your scent everywhere. If he rattles and strikes at you, act like he's not doing a thing (I know its not easy, our first instinct is to pull away when they act defensive). when you do take him out, try to approach him from the side and pick him up from the middle of his body. If he misbehaves while holding him, dont put him back into his tank as this will enforce that "bad" behaviour. if he calms down, keep him out as long as he seems comfortable, but put him back into his cage when he is still calm. he will eventually come to associate you as a nice time to explore and will not view you as a threatening object to him. Hope this helps and he calms down some more for you. Just in case though, some corns seem to have a sassy streak. You'll eventually figure out his personality and work accordingly.