corn snake white/brown liquidy type poop

Question
QUESTION: I have just adopted an albino corn snake.  Petco said that it is about 5 years old (it is about 3-4' long) and that it had been cared for by a previous owner (i am not sure for how long before i got him).  I brought it home and put it in its new home.  I was told that he ate about a week ago, so i am planning on feeding it in a couple of days.  The girl at the shop said that he pooped twice so he should be hungry soon.  

I am new to snakes, and so I was a bit nervious picking it up by myself for the first time.  My friend came over with her kids to give me some moral support, which they did.  And soon after, i had my guy slithering all around me.  After I began to feel more confident, all of a sudden white liquid discharge with some brown stuff came out.  At first i thought it had simply pooped again, but from the websites it sounded more like urine, but they said that it is more solid.  This stuff was wet, and there was quite a bit as well.  Not to mention the fact that it had a fairly strong odor with a musky tint.

My friend and i thought that my snake might be a little nervous, being in a new home and all.  Also, being a little nervous myself, i am sure didn't help.  

Do i need to be worried about anything?  Is this normal?  Is it nerves?  Is this perhaps some kind of defense mechanism?  (I do have 2 cats as well, but there was no real interaction... in fact, it was as if they were not even aware of each other's existance.  

I have not read anything about a white-liquidy-type poop with brown stuff.  I will talk with the people at Petco, but was wondering what you had to say about this.

Thank you...

ANSWER: Hey Ross

The urine, or urea, is usually pretty solid. But when snakes get nervous, the feces and urine can run together to make a yucky mess. Snakes feces are going to smell, as they are carnivores. And sometimes it will stink to high heaven. Corn snakes aren't as bad as constrictors and pythons, but it wont be pleasant.

The snake is going to need a little time to get used to you, so don't be alarmed by his pooping on you. Some snakes will even bleed along with poop so be happy it's just that! Being as he is much smaller than you, yes it is a defense mechanism. Makes predators think they are dying and/or dead. Just handle him every day, and it should stop within a week or so assuming he was handled semi-regularly in his prior home. Just keep calm when handling him, and he'll get the vibe from you to do the same. Don't need to be nervous, he isn't going to hurt you.

My cats and my python have been introduced, but many cats won't have any interest. Just never leave them alone together, and you should never have problems.

Thank you for adopting as well. Not many think about doing that, and it really does make a difference.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: First of all, thank you for a very complete answer.  It has really put me a ease.  

My follow up question is, what can i do to become more confident when picking up the snake.  The literature says that i should pick the snake up about 5-6" from its head, and then support the rest of the body while letting it move around on its own.  However, when the snake looks as if it is going to strike and the tip of the tail is shaking like a rattle snake, I lose the nerve.  I guess, i just have to go in and pick it up, and as you said NOT be nervous.  (I now have a new appreciation for those people who are afraid of my cats.  They just do not have the experience or the confidence that i have being around them.)  

Would stroking or "petting" the snake in the tank be a good way to start?  I have also found myself talking to it as well.  My theory is to help the snake familiarize herself (i think it is a she) with my voice and touch.  Do snakes respond in the same or similar way as other pets?

Finally, how long do you recommend that i hold the snake each time, or does it really matter as long as i contact with it on a regular basis?

Thank you again for your thoughtful answer previously.

Answer
Just reach in and pick her up. Don't worry about being bit, just do it. The tail rattling should stop within a week or so, it's classic kingsnake and cornsnake behavior. Talking and petting is how I do most of the taming, with the talking being more a vibration thing through my hands than an actual sound thing for them. I know that my python knows the sound of my voice and comes up to see me when I open the cage. I would start with 5-10 minutes at a time, and after a week or so extend it to 15+ minutes.