Reptile & Amphibian Forums

just got my first mexican black yesterday, was very calm in the store, but when i got home and set up his tank, let him spend a little time in it, picked him back up. I know they need more than a few hours to settle in (a week is the usual i hear) but i couldn't resist another close up look at this beauty. the little guy was dripping like a fire-hose is this usual for this breed? will he settle down or will i need a tyvek suit whenever i pick the little guy up? will he outgrow this? or is it a matter of him just being nervous in a new environment.
thanks
Mike

Young kingsnakes tend to musk on you when first picked up. You could try sliding your hand under the snake instead of grabbing it. I've also heard that hooks work well. Personally, I just pick the snake up and wash the musk off. Hopefully, the snake will stop musking once it gets used to you. Let it get used to its enclosure for a few days at least before trying to handle it. It's scary moving somewhere new.

Good luck with your snake!

I recently purchased my first MBK and she musked the first time I picked her up. I left her alone and started handling her after the first week. She hasn't musked since. I pick her up slowly and make sure she is aware of what is going on. She has settled down and is a very nice calm animal. I also don't handle her when she is about to shed.

Same thing happened to me when I got my Cal. king. He would musk when I first picked him up. But after several days, he got used to me and hasn't done it since (except when the cat walked by). Anyway, I've had mine for 2 weeks now and he settled down after the first 3 days of handling. He does get really aggressive when I try to take him out of the feeding box after he eats, so I just have to let him crawl out of the box and into my hand, or pick him up with the nail pulling end of a hammer (I don't have a hook yet, and hopefully he will calm down enough that I won't have to get one). But yes, give him about 5 days to himself (I know it's hard to resist holding him!) and then give him a couple of more days of getting used to being held. Good luck!

I thought I should clarify using the hammer to pick up the snake... let him crawl onto the hammer, don't try to scoop him up with it, obviously.