Handling

Question
Hey, my name is Robert and I have had a cornsnake for about 7 months.  When  we first got her, she went to the bathroom on my pants once or twice.  Recently though, she hasn't gone in her cage ONCE.  Two or three times a week, she's been staining cloths and carpets.  The last time I fed her I waited four days before taking her out of her cage.  Then, just to be safe, i handled her on newspaper first.  After she went on that, i though it was safe to handle her where ever.  I was wrong, she went on a desk and the carpet.  I just fed her so I'm going to use newspaper again this time.  Are there any other tricks or secrets i can use?

                                             Thanks,
                                                  Rob

Answer
Robert,
  You have a very smart snake there. The short answer is, the snake is scared of you. Colubrids have few defenses against predators and pooping on them is one of them. Think of it this way, you are 500X the snake's size and it simply is not sure of you. She eats, holds back until her biggest threat comes along, and then lets you have it. Garter snakes are horrible for doing this (more so than Corn snakes. I say just keep doing what you are doing. In time, she will become used to you and will stop being startled. Just stick with her until then and all will be ok!