Reptile & Amphibian Forums

So I had my juvenile 1.0 MBK out for some exercise and some photos and he was in a surprisingly good mood - or so it seemed.

It didn't start out so smoothly, as he bit me (quick/defensive tap) when I first went to pick him up. But then, he completely calmed down and allowed me to pick him up with little to no struggle. And he was being so calm, it was great.

I had him out for about twenty minutes or so, and had managed to snap several photos of him when I decided it was about time to put him back for a while.

With him in my right hand, I put my camera down on my desk with my other hand and shut it off, etc. While I was doing that I felt a very light, peculiar touch on my finger next to where he was situated on my right hand. I turned to find him poking his nose onto my index finger - then slowly - very slowly - opening his jaws!!

I couldn't believe it! He was trying to 'slow bite' me! What in the world could he have been thinking? I'm sure he realized that I wasn't food - and even if he did confuse me for dinner, I'm sure he would realize that I'm WAY too big for him...

All I had to do was adjust his position slightly on my hand before he got a chance to sink his teeth in. The simple act of distracting him seemed to make him get over it, as he was fine again after that; really - no struggle, no resisting being handled, nothing. He was active and curious, and alert, and everything a healthy snake normally is - all the while being a very tame animal.

I just don't get it. What could he possibly have been thinking? Perhaps he is just like any youngster and was testing me to see how far he can get before he gets in trouble?

Who knows? Any guesses? Anyone else ever seen any behavior like this?

Just curious,
- Mark

P.S.
This is him:

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... from pinkies to.... the rest of the hand!
Wait 'til you have an adult get a whole digit down his throat..
Fun!
:Mark

my fl king used to do this (back when she was smaller and not at her current 49", thankfully)...I think he hadn't quite figured out the food/hand difference and figured since it was pinkish and not moving, he'd just take his time with it. That was my best guess--wasn't moving to ellicit a strong feeding response, just testing the 'food item'
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Sue

0.1 Western hognose (Sola)
1.0 Crested gecko (Gator)
0.1 Egyptian spiny mouse (Mia)
2.2 mini rex rabbits (Reggie, Hayden, Jackie and Peek-a-boo)
0.1 Plott hound (Molly)
0.1 'found in someone's garage' kitty (Terra)

1.0 Betta (Flash) and 1.0 FL kingsnake (Vega) currently living with boyfriend