I've recently acquired a couple of adult California Kingsnakes, and they are quite squirly. I've been handling them frequently for about a month now, and they are still ornery, especially the female.

They still poop all over the place, and fling their bodies around. They also have not tried to bite me once I have them out of the cage, but ocassionally I'll get lunged at when I reach in. When holding I am not grabbing them, but letting them slide around my hands and arms. I also wash my hands and arms between holding snakes, so I can't imagine the smell of another snake on me would be too strong.

Anybody have any pointers to get these guys to calm down, or is it just a matter of time and patience? I have no intention of getting rid of these snakes at all, if they will be ornery till the rest of their days, I can live with it... it would just be a lot more pleasant to hold them without so much protest.

Sure makes me appreciate my nice and calm thayeris!

Thanks in advance!
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1.1.0 Leopard Geckos (Booger, Gimp)
1.0.0 Veiled Chameleon (Lucutis)
0.0.1 Quince Monitor (Pollux)
1.2.0 Thayeri Kingsnakes (Korben, Leeloo, Artax)
2.2.0 California Kingsnakes (Beetlejuice, Kang, Maraca, Kodos)

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