Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello..

My name is justin, and i've had my speckled kingsnake for like 4 months now. The last time i measured him he was like 33 inches i think, and i know he's grown sence then. He's not tame at all though. I've tryed to work with him as much as possible, he's usally ok once you get him in your hands, but getting him in your hands is the hard part sence he doesn't seem to have a problem with striking at you..

If anyone could give me some help tips on getting him to settle down that would be so great.. And i've also been concidering selling him sence i'm fixing to move to NC soon, and i don't know if i can find an apartment that will alow me to keep him. So if anyone is interested and makes a reasonable offer that would be great as well..

Justin,

If the main problem is picking him up I usually use my cap or something else to cover his head then gently pick him up. He feels more secure being in cover. You must first make sure your hands are cleaned well so that you do not have lizard, mouse or other snake scent on you. If not he will think you fingers are food. LOL> Also handle your snake only 2 days after feeding up to feeding day. If you only handle him on feeding day it will associate you with food and will bite.
This is just some things I do to tame a wild snake. Others may suggest something else.
John Lassiter
dlassiter@stx.rr.com

Just a question. I thought the rule of thumb was not to handle your snake 24 hours after feeding. Has something changed that it is now advisable not to handle them for 48 hours or is it just your preference and a general precaution?
RR

This is just a preference for me. If you think 24 hrs. is safe then longer has got to be safer, huh? Anyway, I hate the smell of regurged rats and mice.LOL! Actually if you feed your snake,
let's say on Friday night it is okay IMHO to handle it on Sunday morn. Just do not attempt to handle right after feeding or on the next day.
Thanks,
John Lassiter

Yes i know. I normaly wait two-days before handling him myself. And i always make sure my hands are washed. But pretty much ever sence i got him he's been like this. I inherited from a friend that couldn't tame him eather, and so sence i've had experiance with boas pythons and corn snakes, i figured i would take him out of his hands and see what i could do.. But it seems to not be working.. hah

All I can suggest is to routinely handle until he comes around. Some can be just plain nasty. Good Luck
John Lassiter

I learned how important it was to wash my hands after my Burmese Python was almost 11' long and decided my hand looked and smelled like the rat he just ate. Trust me they can produce a pretty painful bite and turn your hand purple really fast. For the longest time I had a piece of tooth stuck in my hand witch finally came out like a piece of glass late last year.
RR

Ok that makes since. I thought maybe I missed something LOLJ Most of my specimens don’t get handled anyway. They are more for study than pets. I do maintain one live in C. King snake that I handle from time to time.
RR