Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I began noticing this in my Cal Kings and Sonoran Blacks. Then I began hearing others seem to confirm with their experiences, especially from those with 6 or more of the same species.

I just experienced this with a Desert, to the point that I'll likely make an exchange.

While females may tend to be more voracious feeders, males seem to be more active, curious & confident. (Desert phase Cal Kings, especially so.) Females tend to hide more, and when active move more slowly & warily.

How many agree?

How many have experienced the opposite of an exceptional female who handled well, was curious and loved to explore??

Definitely agree with the females being better feeders.
However - I have some females that are more active and confident than some of my males.
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I decided my old sig was too big.

The king I have that hides the most is my male '07 Brooksi.
The only time he's out of his hide is when he smells rodents.

Part of that may be that he has outgrown the hatchling tubs (first '07 snake of mine to do so) and is on a juvenile shelf next to a late '06 Cal King that is bigger than him and stalks him. That won't be a problem for much longer though - with his growth rate, he'll be bigger than her by end of summer.
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I decided my old sig was too big.

Black out the in between with something so they can't see each other!
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Todd Hughes

I probably should but it doesn't seem to be that big of a deal - I bring rodents into the room and he comes flying out of his hide looking for them - so he isn't all that stressed.

At this point he's almost as big as she is anyway.
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I decided my old sig was too big.

I've got one of each (Cal Kings, both WC). My female (adult) hides alot and is almost always guarranteed to crap on you or musk when you pick her up. My male (juvie) is almost always out, hardly musks or craps, and is pretty calm while being handled. They're both pretty voracious feeders.

reako45

From most other posters, regarding several species. (Understood that an individual can vary greatly in traits and behavior.)

Generally, I'm hearing that females tend to hide more and are more skittish, and that feeding response is about equal between genders.

Ameron in Portland OR

My female MBK is shy, hides all the time and feeds best when left alone. My male Brooks is a voracious eater and very gentle, handling well and never musking.

See my reply to above poster.

Well my female king is not shy at all! She is real docile, doesn't mind being handled. WHen I first got her, she use to strike and try to bite me, but now she doesn't even attempt to do it. She is just real calm and her appetite is crazy. She eats like a pig.