Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a california kingsnake which i've had from a baby (he is now about 2.5 years old). He has always been quite snappy (as I understand kings naturally are), and has that habit of flinging bottom missiles at me. As such, I didn't get him out of his viv very often, mostly just for feeds so not to stress out the snake.

I would really like to tame my king so I can eventually get him out whenever without a mess being made, or a struggle ensuing. I assume the correct way of going about this is to get him out for 5 minutes each day? Are there any tips or techniques you could recommend?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Put him in the bathtub with about 1 inch of water. He will try to get out the water so put your hand about 2 inches above the water. He will come in ur hand for refuge and start to associate your hand with refuge. Do this a few times a week and u should be fine.

ahhhh yes, the old hand over the bath tub trick, why didnt we think of that!!

Handle him more. Some young kings can be hyper, the more you handle him letting him know you are no threat, the faster he should come around to becoming tame and chill out!

A lot of it has to do with individual personallity.

My amel is 4' and extremely handleable.
Her mate is 4' and I've had him 7 years - he does not like to be handled, and in fact bit me last week (first time in about 5 years, he was in blue, and had a nose problem).

I kept two of their offspring. They are in 6qt tubs right next to each other, same heat source. One takes after mom and one takes after pop personallity wise.

One is very calm when handled, other slings crap everywhere every time. I handle them both about twice a week and have since they hatched. Just different personalities.
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3.6 L. getula californiae - 19 eggs (Cal. King)
1.1 L. getula nigrita (MBK)
1.0 Pantherophis guttatus guttatus (Corn)
0.1 Pituophis catenifer catenifer (Pacific gopher)
3.3 Elgaria multicarinata multicarinata (Cal. Alligator Lizard)

Hi, any luck with the bath tub method? i kind of have the same problem like you, i cant handle my kingsnake if it doesnt go crazy and try to escape! she even bit my boyfriends pinkie! my kingsnake is only about less than 8 months old and i carry her only when i feed her and sometimes during the week, she used to be much calmer but now shes so hyper and not friendly. I want to tame her so please help!

How often and what are you feeding her?

Sometimes they act up when they aren't eating enough - and they can eat prey bigger than we sometimes think they can.

For reference, my 5.5 month old 14" Cal Kings are eating f/t fuzzies (decent sized fuzzies) about every 5 days or so, my slightly older (few months) 22" MBK is eating 2 F/T fuzzies every four or five days and really needs to be moved to hoppers.

First time I tried my neonates on fuzzies I didn't think they could eat them. After an hour I checked and they had huge lumps in them - so obviously they could Then they went on a growth spurt.
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3.6 L. getula californiae - 19 eggs (Cal. King)
1.1 L. getula nigrita (MBK)
1.0 Pantherophis guttatus guttatus (Corn)
0.1 Pituophis catenifer catenifer (Pacific gopher)
3.3 Elgaria multicarinata multicarinata (Cal. Alligator Lizard)

im feeding her 1 frozen pinkie every friday, so just once a week. So you think i should change that ? I really want her to be more handable! i had an albino corn snake and he was extremely friendly and anyone can handle him.he was an angel! i want my kingsnake like this....

I'm guessing it is hungry.
Once a week is probably fine, but probably wants bigger or more prey.
I can't say for sure but at 8 months old it almost certainly wants fuzzies by now.

Try multiple pinks next time - but it probably should be moved to small fuzzies (which are also more nutritious)
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3.6 L. getula californiae - 19 eggs (Cal. King)
1.1 L. getula nigrita (MBK)
1.0 Pantherophis guttatus guttatus (Corn)
0.1 Pituophis catenifer catenifer (Pacific gopher)
3.3 Elgaria multicarinata multicarinata (Cal. Alligator Lizard)

i have the same prob with my calkingXcorn (9 mnths) and lately I have gone for it (nervously!) and got him out every day except the 2 days follwing feeding day. I have adopted a somewhat unorthodox method though which might seem like bad advice but it kinda works. I was advised (not in the forum) to slowly take him out making sure he's aware.... I cetainly make him aware of my presence but when I try to remove him slowly it seems to wind him up ( and that's when the missiles follow!)...so I move my hand in slowly but as soon as he uncoils enough I lift the centre of his body out quickly (not violently though!) before he can get agitated...a good few feet out aswell or he'll squirm out my hand to get back in the tank. Usually he wraps his tail round my wrist in the process and instantly calms down in the new environment...I do notice his vent flex still but the poo-ing has stopped..( tip: if you can move the tank, do so into a room with wipe-able floors not carpet....far less annoying! Sounds crazy but works with my snake....good luck.
willz