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Hello All... I have a Black & White Banded California King. He has become quite aggressive as of late. Is it because he is still hungry? He is now considered a sub-adult. I have been feeding him 5 pinkies,the last feed, I gave him a hopper. Hope this helps. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Here is a pic of what I'm talking about. I hope that it is just because he is hungry! Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Looks like he may be hungry. Increase the size of the food you are offering. Pinkies are baby food and he's ready for something that'll stick with him a little longer LOL. Be careful about developing an association with your hand entering the tank and feeding time. They can quickly make a habit of wanting to eat anything that enters the tank. Many people feed in different/separate enclosures to help prevent this.

JOSH

>>Looks like he may be hungry. Increase the size of the food you are offering. Pinkies are baby food and he's ready for something that'll stick with him a little longer LOL. Be careful about developing an association with your hand entering the tank and feeding time. They can quickly make a habit of wanting to eat anything that enters the tank. Many people feed in different/separate enclosures to help prevent this.
>>
>>JOSH
>>

Good advice! I feed all my snakes in paper bags. Another helpfull trick is to wash your hands with Purell alcohol gel to remove any smell of rodent you may have. It also makes your hands smell the same all the time and helps the snake to recognize your scent in time. Plus the gel leaves a residue which is doesn't taste very good. Anything that helps distinguish you from the food is good. I give them a little smack on the nose also if they even look like they are gonna bite. That puts them in a subdued mode, and they know you are not food. I have stopped many biters from biting this way, but it takes time and patience. Good luck!
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King Snakes! Who can make a better mouse trap?
Jorge Sierra

My Site > www.Sierrasnakes.com

he is aggressive like that becaue he is starving. Pinkies are made up mostly of water. He looks to be big enough to eat small mice. He needs the extra protein and calcium a mature mouse provides. He will calm down after you get him on the small mice after a couple feedings.

Also, you should feed him every 4-5 days and not once per week.
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"Some don't consider that thriving.....I've seen the difference between being kept alive and allowing to thrive'

JLassiter

...Amen John!

www.Bluerosy.com

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Thanks for all the advice & comments. I have started feeding him hoppers as of last Saturday. Wanted to use up all the pinkies I had. Getting ready to feed him in a while. Will take a few pics.