I posted a similar question a fews days ago titled "Major behavior change in Cal King," and got some good replys. First off I would say to review all your basic handling rules, ie never have odor of rodents or other snakes on your hands, don't suprise the snake by suddenly reaching for it etc. Also, shedding is a vulnerable period for snakes (it's hard to run away from a preditor when your skin is half on and half off) and they can be tempermental after a shed. My Cal is very active after a shed and I don't even feed her untill the next day, just to give her a chance to settle down. Also, even at one year old many kings are still kind of jumpy and nippy, I have never had a Mexican Black though so I can't speak for them. A trick taught to me by a wise old herper is never pick up a snake by reaching down on top of like a preditor would, but rather place your hand palm up on the bottom of the cage away from the snake and then slide it to the snake and scoop it up mid body and get it's belly up off of the ground (thanks Paul H!) Again, I've never had a Mexican Black but I know with Cal Kings you have to be willing to take one for the team now and then. They are very hardy snakes with personality and they look at every creature with only 3 thoughts in mind, #1. can I eat it? #2. can it eat me?? and #3 can I mate with it? That is how the reptillian brain sees other animals, so with proper husbandry and handling skills we have to teach them scenario #4. NONE OF THE ABOVE, DON"T BITE ME! Hope this helps and good luck.

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