Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Cali. kings? Particularly striped cals? I have one that is very friendly, lets me take her out of her cage without striking or getting nervous, takes food from my hand(hasnt struck me yet, I know thats just luck), never rattles her tail, and never poops on me. When I reach my hand into her cage she climbs up my arm, and when I get my arm out of the cage, she goes to my hand and usually ends up staying there with little movement. Is this normal or do I just have a good snake? I have seen many posts where other people have had aggressive or nervous cali's. So I was wondering if they are generally nervous and/or aggressive. thanks -Joe

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2.2.0 crested geckos (Speckles, Sunshine, Soldier, Sandy)
0.1.0 Striped Cal. Kingsnake (Snuggles)
1.1.0 Green Iguanas (Sisco,Speedy)
1.1.0 Emperor Scorpions (Strongbad,Serenity)
1.0.0 Rose Hair Tanrantula (Star)
1.0.0 Pink Toe Tarantula (Sal)

Yes, we can categorically class snakes (or any animal) based on group behavior. And yes, in general, subspecies usually demonstrate a specific trait. However...

As many animal lovers have found across the years, animals can be VERY individual in behavior. Example: aggressive species has a tame individual; tame species has an aggressive individual.

Cal Kings are known to be more nippy only as hatcjlings. With proper care & handling, they "warm" nicely as they mature. I raised a standard banded Cal King that only bit me once, during a feeding accident. Only one time of musking or hissing, too!

Even though your pet may have "group" tendencies, it is an individual that my demonstrate very unique behavior.

My opinion is that this is due more to the nature of the *owner*, and handling frequency, than the group nature of the subspecies. I tend to have exceptional luck with my snakes, because I earn their trust.

That is something that didn't cross my mind. I like that answer. I have only almost gotten bitten once, and it was because I handled my snakes food right before I removed her from her cage for feeding. Other than that there have been no aggressive incidents (except for the day I took her home, she didn't like the trip and was skittish). My girlfriend on the other hand has not had as much luck as I have. She has been bitten three times, I have no idea why, the only thing I can think of is she has a different scent than me and she doesn't handle the snake as much.

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2.3.0 crested geckos (Speckles, Sandy, Squirt, Sunshine, Soldier)
0.1.0 Striped Cal. Kingsnake (Snuggles)
1.1.0 Green Iguanas (Sisco,Speedy)
1.1.0 Emperor Scorpions (Strongbad,Serenity)
0.1.0 Rose Hair Tanrantula (Sweets)
RIP Star and Sal

I think Ameron hit the nail on the head with regard to the differences in the way people handle their animals. I can't say I have much experience with the western subspecies, but I've handled speckled kings for my whole life in Louisiana. Apparently, specks have gotten a reputation for being high strung and somewhat aggressive compared to other kings, but that hasn't been my experience at all. I also have a pair of florida kings I bought as adults from a guy at a show. He said they were both aggressive and they were at first, but after a couple of weeks of gentle handling they calmed down and I haven't had any problems with them at all in the two years since then. I just think some people bring out the worst in animals.