HUH?? my corn striked out at me?

[Nicky]

My cornsnake is usually really calm and such a sweety and great to hold. never bites or anything. then i went away for march break for 3 weeks and got my cousin to look after my baby when i got home she was in healthy condition but when i went to hold her like i usually do she striked at me and started hissing???:(:( what happened to my calm snake? shes usually so calm when i reach into yher tank to take her out? is it because i was away or like what? and now i notcied when i take her out shes gets really nervous and figity? i don't get it i handle her so much and she nevers acted like this befor i'm really worried....
what happened?

[jwsporty]

Just a shot in the dark but I find that my snakes tend to get a little "pissy" when they going through a shed. However there could be other factors.

Did you have the scent of mouse on your hands or something with a high perfume smell when you picked her up?

Did your friend handle the snake with care?

Did your friend actually feed your baby during your absense?

Did your friend have any bad experiences with your baby while you were gone?

Maybe you should ask a few questions of your friend and see what is discovered.

No solid answers just a few things to check out.

I hope she calms down for you, keep handling and be patient.

good luck
Jim

[Nicky]

hmm when i asked my cousin it seems thst she did take my snake out...grr and she dropped her on the ground acouple of times...i even told him not to take out my snake so i guess maybe thats why my snake like lashed out??? i dunno i guess i'll just have to handle her more often untill she trusts me again like old times and next time i'll find a better babysitter.

[Andy_G]

Yeah, that would be a definite possibility. Thoroughly check your snake's body for indents and lumps/bumps because snakes often break ribs if they get dropped from distances higher than 3 feet.

[Nicky]

omg i hope she not hurt hold up i'm gonna go check

[Hope_H]

I have found that now that it is breeding season, a few of my males that were absolute sweeties, have gotten a little pissy. I have been tagged by my creme, snow and pastel motley males. 3 bites in 2 weeks. Thats a first for all of them. I think my females are making them nuts! They can smell them but can't reach them.

[Jeff_Favelle]

grr and she dropped her on the ground acouple of times

What the hell? A COUPLE of times? Huh? The first time wasn't good enough?

People are weird. And not in a good, cool, trendy way.

[Burmies]

Funny how a snake can be calm one sec and on the other can turn against you for no reason.

Burmies

[Zoe]

No reason?
I think being DROPPED a couple times is reason enough for a snake to be afraid of coming out.

Hope she is okay! Regular handling will calm her down.

Zoe

[OttawaChris]

Its been my experience that 3 main things tend to make a snake cranky...

1) An upcoming shed
2) Not having been fed in a while (possible your friend didnt feed it during the 3 weeks... and you would be none the wiser)
3) Scent of prey/other snakes/any alcohol based product.

Being mishandled or dropped could very well be a good reason for it being cranky too... it has associated people with some pain and is reacting accordingly. Hopefully with some TLC you can get back its trust.

[nicola_boulton]

this same thing happend 2 me. When i went on holiday and came back 2 my snake and it was like that. Dont worry just handle it gradualy and it should get back 2 normal.