Why is my cornsnake so scared anytime I go near?

Question

Everytime i go in his home to change his water or to pick him up he gets really scared and most of the time will quickly go to his hidey hole. Is this what all cornsnakes are like? Once I've got him in my hands he's ok. My boyfriend does say he doesn't like people above him cos he thinks we're birds or something. I've had him for about 4months now so i thought this would stop after a while once he was used to me, my boyfriend does keep tellin me how dumb snakes are like

Answer 1

i have 3 cornsnakes  one is a about 7months old now and he  does not like you going into his tank he does strike but one he is getting handles he is  fine ....

my other 2 are the opp as they love being handled ...

i also have apython and he is a big softy i love him to bits

Answer 2

next time u change its tank u should put it aside for a while and feed it on the same day be 4 u do that  well while ur changing the tank just put ur hand near him so it can get a sent and see ur no threat u should repeate this for a while mabey 2 time a day if u can then u should be able to approch the tank without it hiding if it does just look for it and hold it for a while and interact with it < another way to show ur no threat and if u gently brush its bak with ur fingers it may be confused or soemthing to do with shedding but if u do that aprroch the tank like 2 times a day thing it work my friend did it with mine and her's      p.s-   not all snakes do this but a lot of them do its pritty natural some dont like attenchin some do plus they like to hide and burrow

o ya p.p.s :p    next time u c ur bf slap him up side the head for me :p thnxs lol

Answer 3

I doubt it thinks you're a bird specifically but most snakes will act like this, especially colubrids. There of course are snakes that won't act like this but corn snakes instinctively do this b/c they don't have strong defenses against predators. It's actually not a stupid thing, it's pretty smart. In the large scheme of things, this really isn't a big deal. If it lets you pick him up and hold him, then you're all good.

Answer 4

Yes all corn snakes are like this even mine.....when he goes in the hole get him and hold him their not scared their shy and nerves...just hold him and let him get used you you and it will be fine.:)

Answer 5

it is probably scared because like you said it probably thinks your a bird and if you feed him or do something very very nice to him every time you go by your snakes cage he should slowly get used to you.

Answer 6

cornsnakes are sensitive you should never approach any animal from behind especially reptiles.. try opening the front of the viv and leaving it open for a while if the only time your opening it up is to change the water or feed it may get scared....... i have corn snakes and some are more comfortable than others give it time and alot of attention and i'm sure it will be fine x

Answer 7

Snakes never truely consider themselves domesticated.  So they never really see themselves and you as companions.  At best you are a benevolent captor.  That's a BIG hurdle to get over.

Answer 8

First of all put yourself in the snakes position.How would you like it if a giant tried to pick you up,you'd hide as well.Also theres alot of truth in what your boyfriend says about approaching them from above.That why glass tanks with lids on are completely c**p for keeping reptiles in.If you use a Viv with glass sliding doors,where you can go in from the front at a low level and not above the snake,which makes it feel threatened, then you would get alot better reaction.Just keep approaching really slow and make sure it knows you are there.don't startle him and as he gets bigger and older will get more relaxed and not as scared.

Answer 9

My corn snake is like this aswell if i was in his position i would be scared to

have you handled him a lot?