Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Is it true cal kings continue to bite even when are handled regularly?

individuality.
kingsnakes that continually bite are usually simply underfed. there is this huge misunderstanding that kings should be feed once a week.

,,,,,,,,,,thomas davis
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thanks Thomas, I've had experience in that situation with my Florida Kings, once fed adequately they are a dream to handle(for the most part, i have a pair of t negs that hate me regardless). I was told by a few people that cal kings will continue to be nippy even as adults

If you're just talking about defensive biting, they are often nippy as juveniles, but lose that after a year or so. Each snake is an individual, so some are more prone to bite than others. I've never had a captive raised adult bite defensively.
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Something else to think about, a snake and its keeper have a relationship. How the animal reacts is based on the keeper as much as anything. This is with any kind of snake or any kind of wild animal.

Cal kings, are not known to be biters. But they can bite and if they feel insecure with someone handling them, they can bite. I have a friend who just has a way with snakes, even the most tame of snakes bite him. So it can happen.

I have never had any of my WC kings give feeding bites or defensive bites. I have one CB albino male that will bite when I'm late w/ feeding. I have also had neos strike/headbutt, but never bite.
Recently my friend and I found a neo in the wild that bit when I picked it up. This was the first time that had ever happened to me, and I've come across several desert phase neos and juvies in the wild. Like Ross says all kings are individuals, but I don't find them to be nippy at all.

reako45

No really, I saw it on the internet.

Snakes are individuals just like humans. Your friend's housing and feeding needs may not be to your liking. We aren't the same either.

I have had a couple of cal kings that were very aggressive (and were not under fed), but over all cal kings are not biters. I very rarely have a cal king bite, now babies do like to musk.

So, just because you saw it on the internet....does not make it true.

Kerby...
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Life is like a bunch of fish in an aquarium....we all get along (bonding) until I want to eat you....and I do.

only nippy cal kings i've ever had (2 out of about 25) were underfed.

I wasnt properly educated at the time and gave them the generic 1-2 mice a week thinking it was good enough. some snakes are just hungry eating machines and want/require more food though. after bumping up the amount of rodent that went down their throats they tamed down and no longer bit.

i've noticed that some snakes seem to do fine and grow when getting very little food, other snakes will have issues unless you are giving them everything they want (food, hides, thermal gradient, etc). treat them all as individuals and figure out how to make them happy.

In order to avoid feeding response bites from my kings, I lift them out of their enclosures using a snake hook. Once out of the cage I take them off the hook with my hands. Most of the wild and captive bred CA kings I've had or encountered, rarely attempted to bite, unless as a feeding response (don't be surprised if you get nailed by a king after handling another snake). That said, every animal has it's own personality. On rare occasions, I've seen examples of getula that vibrate their tail, rear back and strike - like a mean Texas rat snake.

What I have noticed is that my long term captive CA kings are more prone to musking & deficating on me (& everything) when handled than my other long term captive getula.