Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I recently adopted a Cali. adult King Snake. After putting her back in her tank, I noticed when my child went up to tank to look at her, she began to rattle her tip of tail like a Rattle Snake! I'm guessing this could explain why the tip of her tail is so hard compared to my cornsnakes tail, more like callused/hard. Did you ever hear of king snakes rattleing their tails? Also why do they do that? I've never seen my cornsnake do that. Is it because I've had my corn since a baby. Does anyone have any answers for this? I've had her (4 yr old. king snake) for 3 days now and this is the first time seeing this. Thank you

many non venomous snakes will rattle their tail in leaf litter or debris, resulting in a noise very similar to a rattlesnake. I've never seen it in kingsnakes personally, but I've seen it in a wild corn snake, in texas rat snakes, and in bull snakes.

Yes, I can tell you exactly why they do this. It is there way of warning an animal(you) to leave them alone, and that they don't particularly want to be bothered, especially when using eradic quick movement. This is VERY typical of MANY different types of snakes, corns included, one of my corns does this all the time when the cage is opened,....it just simply means...I would rather not be bothered, nothing more. They are all individuals that react a little differently to any given stimuli, just like any other animal, even humans.

King's and some other's can also get so excited at feeding time, that their tales start "slapping" uncontrolably too, this is just the way things are. Many times as a snake ages and becomes used to it's environment, it will become more tollerable of outside cage activity, and vibrate their tale less often,...and some individuals will continue to do this regardless, it is just nature doing it's thing.

~Doug
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"Better to be silent and thought a fool, than to open mouth and remove any doubt!"

My adult male cornsnake frequently rattles his tail if I get too close while he is eating. I think its because he feels defenseless with his mouth full!

He never does it any other time, and is a pretty mellow fellow.

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Kent

I have had several snakes that would do that from time to time. My brooks king used to be terrible about it but with some handling and patience she has calmed down.

My splendida and holbrooki do it a lot when young, a few carry it into adulthood, it's natural.
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Todd Hughes