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I have a silly question I hope someone can answer for me...

If you handle your kingsnake after handling another species of snake, does it's predator instinct kick in, when it smells the other snake on your hands? Do you have to wash your hands between snakes to avoid getting bitten-- or are captive snakes just used to another snake's smell?

Thanks,
Amy

If its a common kingsnake, yeah, it will smell the other snake and take a bite. Washing your hands works, but make sure you get it all off, or handle the kingsnake first...one day I was cleaning cages and had my cornsnake out, climbing all over my arms. I washed my hands before pulling out the mexican black kingsnake. He got up past my elbow (where I hadn't washed), suddenly stopped and very calmly took a bite. Not a strike, just kind of a sampling bite before realizing something wasn't right and letting go.

I also have some mountain kings and a gray band and they don't seem to react to the scent of other snakes with the same "dinner's on!" response that L. getula's do.

My friend's dad, let's call him Bob had a friend(Greg)who kept a nice big collection of rare and common snakes. One of Bob's favorites was the California Kingsnake. One day they were holding some snakes,etc. and then Greg hands Bob the Kingsnake. Bob is holding it for about 2 minutes and then the snake latches on, Greg is willing to cut the snake's head off just so it could get off but Bob doesn't want him to do that. After holding the snake under water for about 5 minutes the snake lets go. Bob goes home. The next day he woke up and on his right arm a black color was going through veins and to his heart, he went to the hospital. (I don't entirely remember what happened to him after that) Bob lived, another few hours and he would've been dead. I wouldn't hold Kingsnakes after holding other snakes.
Michael
Michael's Place

>>My friend's dad, let's call him Bob had a friend(Greg)who kept a nice big collection of rare and common snakes. One of Bob's favorites was the California Kingsnake. One day they were holding some snakes,etc. and then Greg hands Bob the Kingsnake. Bob is holding it for about 2 minutes and then the snake latches on, Greg is willing to cut the snake's head off just so it could get off but Bob doesn't want him to do that. After holding the snake under water for about 5 minutes the snake lets go. Bob goes home. The next day he woke up and on his right arm a black color was going through veins and to his heart, he went to the hospital. (I don't entirely remember what happened to him after that) Bob lived, another few hours and he would've been dead. I wouldn't hold Kingsnakes after holding other snakes.
>>Michael
>>Michael's Place

That sounds like it wasn't a kingsnake then-no kingsnake bite would do that on its own unless it got infected somehow or something else got into the wound.

I've been nailed by many different non-venomous snakes, and NEVER had anything like that happen. (all my fault-I either startled the snake, or smelled like mouse)

-cat
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http://chaoscat.lowerground.net/herps/
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Hey it is a true story.

From a medical standpoint the story deos not make much sense. Viens and the heart don't interact the way you suggest.

Well I don't know EXACTLY what happened medically. I know he woke up and there was a black line going up his arm near his chest.
Michael's Place

Once while feeding, I was putting all my snakes in their boxes for feeding and I got my little cal king out, put her in her box, washed my hands quickly, then got my young corn out. He must have caught the kingsnake smell in the air or something because he tried to bolt. My always calm little candy cane tried to make a break for my closet. Needless to say always handled the king last after that.
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People Who Say Money Can't Buy You Happiness Obviously Didn't Know Where To Buy A Herp

2.0 Cornsnakes
0.0.1 Ball Python
1.0 Cal Kingsnake
0.0.1 Taiwan Beauty Snake
0.0.1 Leo Gecko
1.0 Bearded Dragon
0.0.1 Marbled Gecko

Well! I must say I didn't expect such interesting answers to my question!!! Black veins or no, I've been forewarned!

Thanks everyone,

Amy