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Yesterday I was handling my female 17 in. baby eastern king snake, and she did something strange that I would like to know about. While in my hands, she made a small jerking motion and made what I would describe as a rattling sound. The noise and motion lasted less than 1/2 a second.

The king snake is kept in a small plastic tub. She has access to both a hide and substrate to burrow in, and has a water dish that she can fit into, though she never swims. The dish is kept clean. The temperature is 75-85 degrees (F), and there is a temperature gradient. I do not have a hydronomer in the tub, but the substrate (coconut mulch) is clean and dry. She spends most of her time on the warm end of the tub. I didn't think these temperatures were too low, on account of the eastern king snakes temperate habitat.

I am worried that this might be a sign of an upper respiritory infection. I know that L.g.getula is susceptible to respiritory problems if the cage is too cool and humid.

Please answer,
Pinstripe

>>Yesterday I was handling my female 17 in. baby eastern king snake, and she did something strange that I would like to know about. While in my hands, she made a small jerking motion and made what I would describe as a rattling sound. The noise and motion lasted less than 1/2 a second.

The rattling sound likely came from the tail, they kinda do a "fake rattler" thingy to "warn" predators. Hewas scared and [perceived you as a predator.

Does your tank have a hot spot? You should have a hot spot of 90-92F over a heat mat?
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The hot spot is aproximately 85-90 degrees. I had figured this was enopugh as they are a temperate subspecies.

Thanks,
Pinstripe

>>The hot spot is aproximately 85-90 degrees. I had figured this was enopugh as they are a temperate subspecies.
>>
>>Thanks,
>>Pinstripe

Being temperaate is more of an indicator of his cold hardiness than his upper end temp needs. A dark snake like a kingsnake even at altitude has the ability to absorb heat well. If you utilize a non-contact thermometer you will find a recently fed kingsnake will thermoregulate to an approximate skin temp of 92-93F, BY HIS CHOICE.

If the snake would choose it, why not provide it? Why force a cooler temp? Why choose for him? Let your snakes choose and they will tell you!
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AMAZON REPTILE CENTER

It is just a tail rattle. Most baby kings do that when they are nervous. It does not take much to make them nervous when they are that young. I even have an adult calif king that still does it every once in a while. The jerking motion was probably cause from the same thing. Being scared. They are really jerky and nervous when that small. Especially when they dont get handled that much. You should be fine good luck

Thanks, I got the hiding spot up to 95 F.

Pinstripe