Reptile & Amphibian Forums

So Ive had this male Arz. mtn king for about 5 months now (he was supposedly 6 months old when I bought him). Today, after he ate his pinky(yes he's still small enough to need pinkies) I saw him coiled up in his cage, belly up. I honestly thought he was dead. I reached in to pick him up and he scurried away. I've heard of children's pythons laying upside down while gravid, but never a kingsnake. I also noticed that he always has his head slightly cocked sideways and is always climbing his vines, log, etc and then falling down back into the bedding. I dont know if he was born with a weird neurological disorder or if he's injured his head by climbing and falling. He eats without a problem and lets me hold him if I want. Im just concerned he's either injured himself or just likes to lay on his back after a big meal.

Any comments, suggestions would be appreciated

The kinds of behaviors you've described can be caused by a virus or bacteria affecting the brain or nervous system and causing disorientation. It also might be caused by an allergic reaction to bedding, though I have never seen such severe symptoms before.

I would contact a vet and most assuredly keep this snake away from any others. I would also look in your cage for anything that can cause allergic reactions. For example, switch to newspaper bedding and get rid of any wood.

Sounds like a virus or bacteria to me though, but only a vet could answer that for sure.