Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey guys and gals! I have a question or two. I have an eastern and a Cal. kingsnake. The Cal. is about two years old and very healthy. The eastern is a little over a year old,and healthy as well. Anyway, they both make this "sneezing" noise that is usually associated with RI. They've been doing this for a few weeks. I have thermometers in both cages and I'm religious about monitoring the temps. Needless to say, the temps are fine(72F-85F). The substrate is Repti-Bark. They eat regularly-outside of their tanks. They don't have ANY excess mucus about the mouth. Their tongues flick regularly and fully. There is no open mouth breathing. They cruise their tanks as would be expected of general kingsnake behavior(barring the particularly reclusive ones). There is no lethargy,whatsoever. Nothing in their behavior says anything is ailing them. Maybe they're expelling water(?). I've noticed they occasionally submerge themselves in their water dishes, swim around a bit, and continue slithering around. Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Probably just a sneeze. They all tend to do it, at least mine do. Wouldn't worry about it unless you start seeing them act differently in any way.
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1.0 "Goini" King
0.1 Hypo. Floridana King
0.1 Sumatran Blood Python
0.1 Mexican Rosy Boa

I seen your post on the rosy forum. Rosys are the best IMO. Your mexican looks like a San Ignacio. But no way to tell fo sure..

Get a coastal rosy instead of a king or milk qas your next purchase. You will be glad you did.

Also you can email with any rosy questions if you like.

Hey bluerosy (Rainer isn't it?), thanks a lot man. I'll be sure to let you know if I have any questions. I love her to death already, she's the most gentle snake I've ever seen, really good for takin' pictures of! Anyways, thanks again.

Sorry I know it's not a pic of a king.
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1.0 "Goini" King
0.1 Hypo. Floridana King
0.1 Sumatran Blood Python
0.1 Mexican Rosy Boa

Snakes should not sneeze, and I wouldn't just shrug it off, even if they apear fine. Think about how you feel when you have a stuffy nose... you still look fine enough.

Before asking a vet, I would try one thing. Soak both snakes and loose the bark chips for a little while. Go with newspaper or better yet paper towel. Some of that stuff can be really dusty. If they stop then its an easy fix. Also make sure they don't have mites, clogging their nostrils. If not... VET ASAP.

A warmer hot spot for sick snakes would be good too.

good luck

I would definitely get rid of the reptibark-it's made of fir bark (a conifer, and thus potentially high in irritating phenols and other aromatics). Go with aspen or newspaper.

Brad Chambers

i would loose the bark. put in news paper or paper towel. this is a good way to check their stools also. i have mex black kings that will do a gasp/sneeze when they are in shed. because of the loose skin covering their nose hole. so check for the mites. if they are soaking in their water dish then check the bottom for drowned mites and assume that if you find any then the live ones went into the nose or around the eyes.

Thanks for the replies everyone! I'm almost certain it's the dust from the substrate. I handle them regularly and would know if they had mites. Thanks again! -Life Is Learning-