Bitten

[lexi]

Hi there,
I have a corn snake and have had for about 5 years, never had a problem, handle often.
So a friend of a friends asked me if I could take his corn snake off him since he is moving far away yadda yadda. I was told Sid was friendly, handled often, great snake.

Okay so I first of all stupidly believed this person.

I get snake home, I just brought him tank and all, and wait, and wait and wait not wanting to disturb Sid and when he finally came out I discovered...
Sid is a milk snake. He is about 2 feet long. He does not seem at all disturbed by my movement outside of the tank but when I opened the lid he was not happy. I didn't plan on handling him right away but did give him a mouse and let him be.

Three days go by. No milky eyes, no signs of a shed. I open up and sink my hand into the tank. Sid retreats. His behavior seems odd to me so instead of picking him up by the middle as I would with my snake I go behind his head and scoop the rest of him up with my other hand. He keeps trying to turn his head toward my hand and I wondered if I might be freaking him out by my handling him in that manner. I let go and he fricken bit me.

I don't know if I just scared him but I don't think he is the nice, often handled snake I have been told about. I would like some advice on how to get him used to handling. He is beautiful and I'm not just going to give him away or give up on him.

Please help.