Hi I recently bought a Desert Phase California King and it would just awesome to hold him the first time, becasue he had just shed the night before i bought him. He was about 9 months or so and was very nervous, of course getting used to his new habitat. The guy at the store, who owned about 4 snakes said not to worry, he'll get used to it. Ok, since the day i bought him, august 30th, he has still been peeing on my hand every once and a while, not as often as before and still gets nervous when i put my hand in to bring him out, he doesn't bite or anything, he just whips his tail rapidly lol. A couple questions. Will he eventually stop peeing after a while? (i dunno the difference between the wet liquid and the white solid, what they are, but i know the crap is brown haha, 2) Will he stop being nervous or will he always shake his tail? and 3) Is there a way to train him, so he likes to hang on more and calm down instead of squirming and wanting to go off exploring? Thanks a lot for reading!! write back if u can.
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Cali King Q's
Replies (2)
Ok, since the day i bought him, august 30th, he has still been peeing on my hand every once and a while, not as often as before and still gets nervous when i put my hand in to bring him out, he doesn't bite or anything, he just whips his tail rapidly lol. A couple questions. Will he eventually stop peeing after a while?
ANSWER: Well he's not peeing on you he's musking. I have a female cal king and I've had her for about a year and she still tail rattles and musks on me but not as often. If you just handle him from a little bit everyday (excluding blue periods and after eating) he will eventually calm down. Babies are always jumpier then older snakes.
2) Will he stop being nervous or will he always shake his tail? Most snakes rattle their tail when they're nervous or excited.
ANSWER: All my snakes rattle when they're eating (except my BP) When he gets older and calms down, he wont be so nervous when you hold him.
3) Is there a way to train him, so he likes to hang on more and calm down instead of squirming and wanting to go off exploring?
ANSWER: The only way to get him to calm down is keep handling him but be carefull not to stress him, just a few minutes a day. Eventually he should realize that you're not going to try to eat him and he'll calm down.
I hope this helps and good luck.
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2.0 Cornsnakes
1.0 Ball Python
0.1 Cal Kingsnake
0.1 Taiwan Beauty Snake
0.0.1 Leo Gecko
1.0 Bearded Dragon
0.0.1 Marbled Gecko
As for getting him to stop musking on your hand, I find that very slow movement when picking him up works very well. Sharp movements towards him will make him think he's being attacked. When you do pick him up, instead of holding him between your fingers with his body extended, try immediately putting him into the palm of your hand. This will give him a certain sense of security. He'll eventually grow out of "rattling" his tail as he gets older. Keep handling him at least 10-15 minutes a day (except after eating and right before shedding) and you'll surely see a change in temperment!
Good luck!
-Ryan
