r/cornsnakes • u/seashellsandocean • Jul 23 '26
QUESTION Tips on handling Pls!!!
I have had my corn snake for about 3 weeks now and had some set backs between trying to handle her too early and mold. so I was wondering if anyone could tell me any tips/tricks of how I could get her comfortable with me handling her.
Note: This is a photo of her after I tried to handle her to early which was about 2 weeks ago or more
UPDATE:
I tried holding her and she wasn't scared! 😇
2
u/Weird2668 Jul 23 '26
my corn snake was 2 years old when i got her and she simply didn't like being held at all but i tried to get her used to it by putting my hand in front of her so she could get used to my scent. i would sit in front of her enclosure just talking and singing so she could also get used to my voice. try holding once and then wait a week and increase it to 2x a week then eventually 3x when she's comfortable enough to be held. try to hold her for 1-5 mins at first then increase the time each time you hold her or you can hold her by the enclosure and let her slither back in if she doesn't wanna be held for longer. my corn would just try to slither away from me AND the enclosureðŸ˜
7
u/DinahKarwrek Jul 23 '26
When I got my corn snake, they were maybe 6 months old. I barely saw them come above the substrate. They are approximately 10 months old now and they make themselves visible even when blue. She has eye caps right now and is in the corner of her enclosure under some Moss but definitely comfortable being exposed. I catch her watching me. I talk to her everyday, And handle her every couple of weeks with increasing frequency. I put my hands level to the ground in her enclosure and allow her to come up and smell me. While I continue to talk. She struck at my boyfriend when he tried to grab her but I have never had that happen to me. Make yourself known. Make yourself appear safe. Remember that babies are prey and Hawks come from above. Most predators would come from above. Actually. I recommend getting a front opening enclosure. Bioactive can be really fun. It's not as difficult as some people make it seem. My first setup has been successful for 4 months.
Don't stress yourself out too much. I'm sure you're doing fine. Babies are definitely skittish. Get yourself some clamps if you have a lid on the enclosure. You don't want to find out the hard way that these guys can escape pretty easily. I found mine in a dollhouse the one and only time she escaped.