Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I acquired an eastern kingsnake two months ago. It was about 3.5ft long when I got it. I would handle it at least 4-5 days a week,however, in the past week every time I went to pick it up it would go to bite my hand. I made sure I washed my hands before picking it up every time. I also fed her in a separate space so she wouldn't mistake my hand for food. The only thing different that I notice on her is a couple spots on her skin. It may be a fungus but I heard it wouldn't change her temperament. She is still eating fine. I feed her two mice a week. Is there a possibility she is malnourished?

I will take any suggestions one may have.

It may be a fungus? Can't tell over the internet if it is or isn't, but common sense would dictate that any malady can affect temperament.

BTW, feeding in a separate container does not fool a hungry snake. Hungry kingsnakes may bite, period. Does not matter where you feed it. When you put your hand in a cage, it can be looked at as food. How is a snake with a little pea-brain suppose to differentiate?

Using a snake hook to remove the snake will cut down on bite attempts. When you use a hook to lift the snake, the snake realizes it isn't warm-blooded flesh and may relinquish the attack mode for a bit.

Also, there is no rule that says temperament must stay the same. As the seasons change, behavior will change. Spring time for females especially often means increased appetite to bulk up for breeding. Your separate container does not change that.

My advice is to look at the snake as an organism that does certain behaviors to exist in the wild. In captivity it may still have those behaviors. They are not puppets that just sit there and eat and understand separate containers and like to be held and bow down to our every desire for them to be anything different than what they are.
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Mark

If it is a fungus then perhaps it is causing some discomfort when held? It may just not want to be held as well, sometimes snakes just get unfriendly. My yellow anaconda did this, she went from puppy dog tame to fairly unpredictable over one summer.