Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm not new to this forum, but this is my first post. I've done some research (archives on kingsnake.com google, etc.), but I'm still interested in what some experienced BT owners/breeders have to say about handling.

My question is concerning sub-adult BT's: Are they like the Water's I've kept - don't bother until they get some size and courage - or - handle them frequently, the bleeding will stop eventually? LOL. My BT's are fairly new (they're about 20" TL). They don't mind me watching them, but they're really fussy when it comes to picking them up.

Thanks in advance for your advice!

Keep handling them and they will get over. Trim there nails, Use some leather gloves and spend some time handling them. In a few weeks they will get pretty used to you picking them up.

Have fun

Every one of them has a different personality, so nobody knows how yours will act. Ive had a few BTs over the years with total differences in them. My experience is that usually they act the same toward you from the time you get them about handling until they are dead, some like it some dont, some learn to accept it some get much worse. If you are getting bit now they usually continue reacting that way later, only alot more damage and pain as they get bigger. Welding gloves help to protect you, but will not stop the damage they can inflict with a bite.

One thing I have noticed that makes monitors nervous in the initial stages is reaching in to pick them up directly over their head. In the wild the predator threat normally comes from above in the form of birds, so they are always on the look out for overhead predation. Your big hand swooping in to pick them up looks instinctivly like a threat. Try reaching for him at ground level. Scoop them up rather than pick them up. Try this for a few weeks and see if he starts calming down a little.