Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've got a question.
Do you find any of your snakes to be moody? I have a Florida King who nine times out of ten is nothing but mellow when I handle him. But, every once in a while he makes it clear that he'd rather be left alone! He hasn't struck at me (yet) but he beats his tail and does all he can to be left alone (which I grant).

Yes, this usually happens closer to feeding time, but sometimes I handle him the same day he is to be fed and he's fine.
I have gecko's and have one who is rather moody, just wondered what some of you have experienced with your kingsnakes.

Thanks!
Ray.

One of my WC cal kings is moody.
Until last week, he hadn't bitten me in 4 or 5 years. But he always thrashed around.

He rubbed his nose raw trying to get at the females, and it puffed up. I took him out to inspect it and listen for respiratory infection - and he bit me. That was on a friday, earliest vet could see him was monday (9 days ago). He shed over weekend and his nose looked a hell of a lot better - but I took him to vet anyway, who gave him a clean bill of health.

Just yesterday when feeding him - he struck at me. Not a feeding strike - a "Stay the hell away from me" strike. Then he saw the mice - and pounded both of them.

But yeah - he's always been moody. Hopefully he is just a little irritated still from the nose and will calm down. Next year, he comes out of brumation in separate room from females. I don't want him smelling their phermones until they are put in his cage ready for action. He is a very horny snake (when I put the shed from a female in pre breeding, he crawled inside it - several times - and tore that shed to pieces)
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3.6 L. getula californiae - 16 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)

"He is a very horny snake"
LOL!
That'll make just about anything moody!

I like your shoebox hide. You just game me a good idea. Thanks, Derek

Thanks.
I was hesitant at first, thought I should use something more natural, but my snake doesn't know the difference!
Plus, I've got teenagers, so shoeboxes are common around here!

Ray.

that is a good plan, ill have to do that for my kingsnake.

oh and as for your moody king, well thats just how kingsnakes are. my florida king is the same way, nice most of the time but it has its moments when it will strike at every thing that moves.
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my babies:
0.1.0 Epicrates cenchria cenchria (brazilian rainbow boa)
0.0.1 Lampropeltis Getula Floridana (florida kingsnake)
0.1.0 Hydrodynastes gigas (false water cobra)
0.0.1 Grammostola rosea (rose-hair)
0.0.2 Grammostola aureostriata (choco gold knee)
0.0.1 Avicularia versicolor (Antilles pinktoe)
0.0.1 Pamphobeteus sp. (Ecuadorian purple-bloom)
0.0.1 Hadrurus arizonensis (Arizona hairy scorpion)