Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a question about general kingsnake behavior. I have a 2 year old cal. king who refused food for most of november-may (i tried offering every 1-3 weeks, but she just wanted to sleep it seemed). After finally waking up she seems to be very temperamental. She's (well, i call it a she) feeding like a beast, but it seems when I even just handle her she thinks i'm food, and is in general a bit more freaked out than ever before. Is it safe to assume she's just in a bit of a feeding frenzy for the summer and will calm down again as the weather cools (boston was pretty hot this summer) and she starts to rest? Or should I put more work into getting her to regain a seeming loss of trust? She's always had a bit of an attitude but has never bitten me (or even tried) until the other day. I am curious as to what may have caused this pretty big change in behavior. Thanks in advance for any responses

-Romi

Sounds like she is exhibiting some pretty normal kingsnake behaviour. You say she refused food and seemed like she just wanted to sleep from Nov-May, well although this seems to me to be an extraordinarily long time for a winter rest, (I say rest because it wasn't a full brumation), Oct or Nov - Feb or March are the usual months for natural kingsnake hibernation, depending on the location and climate.
When said snakes 'wake up', they are usually pretty ornary, due to being VERY hungry and horny. Even the sweetest snake will most likely be like this once they warm up after brumation.
Even though not all kingsnakes in captivity who are not brumated will exhibit this behaviour, the ones that do will probably continue to do so every year at the same time whether they are brumated or not.
Make sure you feed her very well over the summer due to this, and if you decide not to brumate her this year (not necessary unless you plan on breeding her) you can try raising the temps and daylight hours in her enclosure once it starts getting cool, this MAY stop her from going into a rest if it bothers you.
Good luck.
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(i)Klaatu...Verata...Nichtu!(/i)