Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was just wondering if anyone happens to know anything about a snake (Cal King) "waving" his tail when handled? It doesn't appear to be the same as the defensive rattlesnake thing they do at times which I have read about. It's more of a slow, rhythmic, swish and only at the very tip of the tail. Kind of like the kind of thing a cat will do looking out the windows at birds. I want to tell myself that it's because he's extremely happy I'm holding him and loves me to bits....

a feeding response perhaps? I have milks that do what you describe at feeding time... but only when I put them into their feeding container... perhaps you only handle your kings at feeding time so they are expecting food?

Gerry

He should have been quite full at the time, but I just got him from someone that was hardly caring for him. I have had boas, pythons, etc...in the past but it's been a while, and I can't say I've ever seen anything quite like this! It just made me curious. Thanks for the response though!!

I have heard that behavior called caudual luring. It is a type of feeding response where the snake will move its tale to attract/lure in prey. Some snakes show this, others don't. My blood pythons wave their tales all the time just before feeding. Bill
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...three years ago it was just another snake cult...
The Retic is King.
Anacondas-the other Dark Side.
Afrocks-the dark side of the Dark Side.

My corns do that also. Mostly when I am petting them..hard to say why - but thinking kinda like when you pet a dog in the right place and their leg goes crazy -

But I like your idea - he is wagging his tail because he love you