Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey guys, I was hoping for some advice. I have a 3yr old speckled king who's been an absolute sweetheart, never even nips the vet. He's been used in educational events before, and was all around a joy to handle.

Well, several days ago I decided to get a hatchling texas ratsnake. They live in the same room, but I figured this would be no big deal since they couldn't get out and I'd be handling them at seperate times. Well, after handling the hatchling (and washing my hands), I pulled out Chabs (the king), and within minutes I got a feeding response bite. I finally got him to let go, but he looked like he was going to try again so he quickly got put away.

A few days passed, including feeding day. I left the hatchling alone to digest fully, but Chabs got taken out and seemed to be calmer.

Today, I decided to handle the baby in the early morning for about five minutes. Afterwards, I practically bathed in purell and about five other soaps, then went to work cleaning house (adding all sorts of unedible smells). Now it's evening, and after washing my hands again I went to pick up Chabs and again got chewed on. Had to pull out vinegar to make him let go this time, and again he had to be put away immediately since he was so suddenly out of control and ready to chew on me again.

So... what do I do? I have to handle the texas rat while he's young so he won't be nippy, but I want to be able to handle my other snake too. I'm not even sure it's a problem of smelling the other snake on me, but it certainly started at exactly the same time.

Ha!

Good question, and a thread I'll keep an eye on.

I have a splendida that's the same way- it's like clockwork now, though- guaranteed to try and eat a finger within a minute of handling him, even if I haven't handled any of my other snakes at all!

Good luck to you!

//Todd

Thats a georgeous sockhead you have attached to your pinky! lol Kevin

Todd, for some reason I never retain exactly whose snake picture that is when I see it. I will try and remember now though, I always enjoy seeing it. It is by far my favorite picture I've seen on this forum.
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0.1 Lampropeltis Getula Floridana

Pictured is my male het albino latched onto MY finger, while saving the mouse for later...

Photo credits go to my oldest daughter for holding the camera still long enough while laughing to get a decent shot.

Here are a couple other moments with the same snake...

Locked on, hard!

//Todd

You really should consider freezing your hand before offering it.

Awesome photo!

Feed those dang snakes! I got a speckled female that WILL eat your thumb if you let her get started, just like Todd's splendy, even with a mouse dangling she will "go for 3"! I think you can give em two at a time and be safe, eating one and strangling the other. I bet your speck can smell that T-rat through a gut wagon! That is what they do.
Todd Hughes

I am thinking perhaps your speckled king smells your new Tx. rat snake and is exhibiting a feeding response. He either smells him on you, in the room maybe, or both? Since it started at the exact same time you received the Tx. rat, perhaps these reasons could explain his behavior.

Be sure when you wash your hands to also wash your arms as well. Since they crawl all over our hands and arms, perhaps there is still some trace of scent on your arms if those were not washed?

I wonder if Tx. rats do let off some sort of odor, because I caught one a year ago and she had a certain odor that I could make out, even with her not musking? Something to think about.

My grayband below did the same thing. When I bought him last year, perfectly fine. Held him a lot, perfectly fine. One day I was cleaning cages and WHAM! I received perhaps the worst bite from a yearling king I have ever received. The snake bit, producing a streaming flow of blood down my hand, all within one second. This did catch me by surprise and I was shocked that snake with his size did the damage he did in that amount of time.

I realized that I had been in between cages and usually, I would wash my hands before his cage but I did forget. I believe he smelled another snake's smell on my hands and let me have it.

So now, for cleaning, I wash my hands and arms and I clean his cage first before anyone elses, to eliminate any chance of another snake's smell being left behind on my hands. With this, I would simply suggest to wash up and just handle your speckled king first out of the two snakes each day you handle them.

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Genesis 1:1

I agree totally, especially handle your king first, but you may get a fear response from the rat snake, don't be surprised if it lets you have it!
Todd Hughes

Billy,
Your GBK is AMAZING!!!

//Todd

Thank you sir!
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Genesis 1:1

How many snakes do you have? If you only have the 2 try handling on different days.

reako45