Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello everyone.
Sorry I'm always posting questions, but truth be told, I don't have many friends around here that have snakes, and it's been hard to find information on the things I'm curious about, so thank you for the help you've given.

So I have my albino king snake, that I've had for around a month now. He was at the pet store for six months. He's an incredibly tame snake. He eats very well, and just had his first shed with me (no problems, all one piece!)
My question is about his behavior.

He's never tried to strike at me, he's never shown any signs of aggression when I've held him. I know he's not a dog, he's never going to show any signs of actually liking me, or wanting me there. He just doesn't see me as a threat. However, I'm concerned I'm stressing him.
I feel this way because when I go to handle him (usually every other day or so), he always tries to get away from me. I go looking for him with a snake hook to avoid getting accidentally bitten by startling him.
He also rarely comes out of hiding, I never see him unless I go looking for him. Does this mean he is stressed?
He always tries to escape constantly when I'm holding him, but never gets aggressive toward me. Is this normal?

His conditions are right for his species.. The humidity is good, heat levels are good. He has an under the tank heater as well as two hides.

So my concern is that I'm stressing him by continuing to look for him and handle him.

Thank you for the help.

Two unrelated things. So first,

Your under a false assumption that your snake will not have some "need" for you. While kingsnakes do not show their behavior as overtly as many lizards, And lizards nothing like dogs, behaviorally, they do have some ability to "care" for you.

I man or have manned, many wild animals, from rattlesnakes, to Scaly lizards, to coachwhips, to roadrunners. To a point they actively seek me out. To a point, at times they become pests. While it starts with building a food trust. It moves well past that.

Goggle up a young lady who is one with reptiles. The reptile whisperer, and or her name Kathryn Brown. Shes does what I do, only with captives and more. So please look her up, she will open your eyes. So look her up, then come back and tell me what you think.

Also, your mention your conditions are right. That is not how you should look at it. Maybe your conditions are what you think is recommended. But please understand, its only a place to start. Try to listen to your snake, it will help you refine your husbandry. Best wishes

This really doesn't answer either of my questions..

Sorry, watching a basketball game, in double overtime. Kings can be nice or pissy when young, they are normally very very nice when adults.

But that does not matter, as what's important is how your snake reacts to you. Which is what I had hoped to help you with. Best wishes

" He also rarely comes out of hiding, I never see him unless I go looking for him. Does this mean he is stressed?
He always tries to escape constantly when I'm holding him, but never gets aggressive toward me. Is this normal? "

You are doing everything right, and he is doing what a lot of snakes do, which is hiding, and then moving a lot when you hold him. All normal. You are being a good keeper, he is being a normal snake.

Each snake is an individual. Some will do what you described, some won't. I see both sides of the equation in my collection, and have all of my life.

No need to ever apologize for asking questions, as no matter how long you have been in this hobby, new questions will always emerge.

Congrats on your snake!!

-----
Genesis 1:1

He is not stressed all the time. Just when you look for him.LOL!

Just feed him and maybe he will calm down a bit. And if he is young they sometimes grow out of pissy behavior.

But some individuals are just like that. Can't change some.

Ummm, Are we talking about people or snakes? HA HA HA!

Actually FR's suggestion was pretty cool and actually addresses one of your paragraphs. I also had a hard time finding your 2 questions in the post and focused on that part as well.
-----
"I guess newbies cannot understand, those who build the foundation, are not the ones with great opportunity. Those who buy the latest generations, have the greatest opportunity to create new morphs. "

Frank Retes

The problem with your two questions is, there are no answers.

Does handling stress your snake? It can or it may not.

Is it normal for a cal king to be calm. Both yes and no.

If your one who has to hold them. Which it sounds like you are, and want that type of relationship with your snake. It can be done and done well for both you and your snake. Which is why I headed you to Kathyrn Brown. Shes expert at making reptiles, even the nastiest of species, as tame, hmmm, beyond tame, and still be reproductive and normal, hmmmmmmmm way better then normal then any other pet snake. In fact, if you watch her videos, puppy dog tame and even loving, actually bonded is a better term, are INCLUDED. With people, love and bonded, are often confused.