Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have several snakes among which are an Eastern Kingsnake and a Black Kingsnake. Both snakes are housed in separate 40 gallon tanks. I feed each snake 2-3 adult mice every two weeks and they are in good health. I handle them often and conduct educational programs at state parks, schools, etc. The Black Kingsnake upon reaching adulthood has always been a bit unpredictable and on occasion would bite, sometimes even biting itself. This usually occurred when it senses it is going to be fed and perhaps smells the thawed mice. I always lift the snakes with a small hook and feed in a separate plastic container. The Eastern King only bit me once about 4 years ago when I handled several of my other Corn, Black Rat and Milk Snakes and wanted to see if the Eastern King would bite. It did!
Since then I handle the Kings first or wash my hands after handling other snakes before I handle the Kings. Recently (July 2010), the Eastern King has become quite active in his glass tank almost like he does in the Spring when he's seeking to mate. Also, even though he ate 3 adult mice a 4 days ago, when I pick him up he bites himself, me, or even struck and bit a nearby cardboard box. He's a big snake about 4 feet long and weighs 879 grams. I've had both of these Kings since they were juveniles and both are about 5 years old now. Can anyone offer an explanation as to why my rather docile Eastern Kingsnake has now become an aggressive/biting one?

Just guessing, it could be something as simple as breeding season getting him wound up? It could also be that you need to increase his food size or quantity? Did you recently get another pet like a cat or dog that maybe giving you a different smell? There are many reasons, but only you will be able to determine what.
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King Snakes! Who can make a better mouse trap?
J Sierra

Well first of all you came to the right place. It is great to see people actually care about their snakes enough to go online and ask a question.

Any kingsnake that has a feeding response that hard is basically starving. Putting snakes on a feeding 'schedule" is not reccomended and not proper care. We need to learn to listen to what the snake is telling us. They are telling you something and it is quite clear what that is. They need more food. Sometimes this changes through the year.

I general for large kings like eastern getula and MBK, feeding 2-3 mice once evert TWO weeks IS starving them. No matter what time of year of sex. If the snakes are not fully grown they need to reach maximum size before worrying about them getting fat. But we are a long way from this in your snakes case.

Another thing I should mention is that Female kingsnbakes go through a breeding season and ovulate during summer months and this increases their need for food so they can reproduce.

But the breeding season thing aside. A once per-week feeding of 2-3 mice is no where near enough for an adult king, specially large subspecies of kings like you have.

Start feeding them 3-4 mice (or as many as they will eat) every 5 days and the feeding response will stop and you will have puppy dog tame kingsnakes. After a month or two they will replenish proper fat resevers and you MAY be able to back down back down the aount of mice and/or lengthen the frequency to every 7 days. Again remember the snakes will let you know by their actions. Such a strong feeding response of them biting themselves is not normal.

Bottom line. Listen to what the snakes are telling you and not some Pet shop employee or THF book.
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www.Bluerosy.com

Yeah Rainer is right! I didn't catch that, when I read it. I thought it was 2 to 3 adult mice every week which is much better. But yeah every two weeks is not quite enough. Your snake is hungry. Good Luck!
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King Snakes! Who can make a better mouse trap?
J Sierra

Thanks for everyone's help. I have fed 4-5 mice the last two feedings, 5-6 days apart and the Kingsnakes are back to their gentle ways. After another feeding or two, I plan to feed about every seven days. Many thanks to all who responded