Wow, is he psycho!

[Ginevive]

We got this corn snake about 10 days ago.. I tried to go in to change his water last night and MAN did he go OFF on me! He stood up like a cobra and was rattling his tail like a rattler, and struck a few times.. I did manage to not get bitten via a thick longsleeve shirt I was wearing, but still.. any words of wisdom here? He was not like this at his former home, but maybe he is still settling in...? Yikes though, he is insane!
EDIT: I "cowboyed up" and put on a long sleeve shirt, and took him out. He struck at my arm twice but I think he was bluffing; once I got him out, he started exploing more in my ars instead of just snapping at me.. I guess he is only like this when I disturb him in his tank?
I feel bad for him really; he was ignored a lot in the past year or so; just basically they opened his cage to clean and feed. I think that has alot to do with it.

[KeithTN]

Mine did the same thing a couple of days ago. I was my fault tho. I spilled a little water on her and scare her. She looked like a small orange rat snake,

I guess sometime they just get startled. Give the little guy a hour or two to calm down, and I bet it'll be like a different snake.

[Ladydragon]

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.

[Ginevive]

Thanks for your advice It seems like they are much more "with it" than a BP is; definately Faster!

[Ladydragon]

no prob.. glad to help.. my new bloodred has a bit of a sassy attitude, but its kewl. they are like people in that they are individuals with their own temperments. Makes life interesting.

[Ginevive]

Yeah; if I wanted something that had the 'tude of a stuffed animal; I would have got a stuffed animal.