Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ok...so I bought a beautiful 50/50 desert phase cal king last April. Since day one, it bites and holds on when held. Ocassionally it will let us pick it up for a minute or two, but then all of a sudden out of nowhere it will latch on. At first, I fgured it would grow out of it as mosst babies do. Will this snake ever stop trying to eat me?

I've never had this problem with any of my kings (i.e. they take that long to calm down), but I'll try to help.

How do you hold this snake?

Never try to restrict the snake's movement... let the snake move freely through your fingers

How often do you handle this snake?

I got a 2yr old female brooks last year and she was the most aggressive I've ever seen any snake: I handled her on average once a week,and now she's like a puppy!

When are you handling the snake?

Don't handle this snake after a meal... besides the fact that the snake may regurgitate, they seem more aggressive when full.

Don't handle this snake when it's hungry.

bottom line just handle more and learn when it's the appropriate time to handle your snake

Hope that helps

~ZF

I've been keeping and breeding various colubrid and pythons species for over ten years. I have dealt with 100s of snakes. I know how to properly handle and care for them. This snake is just unusual. Whenever picked up, he bites and latches on. If I pick him up with a hook, and then set him in my palm, he'll bite and hold on. Before meals, after meals, between meals, 24/7 365. He even bites inanimate objects. Its not that he super agressive. In fact, he doesnt really strike....just leisurely bites and hold on. When I'm cleaning his cage or changing his water, sometimes he'll bite his water bowl, hide, or even try to bit the sides of his enclosure. I used to handle him every couple of days. As hes gotten bigger, I admit to only trying to handle him every week or two...hes getting big enought to hurt now. When he bites and holds on, he will not let go. I've let him go for 20 minutes and more before carefully prying him off with a playing card. Very weird.
Joe Pociask Pythons

i know that kings bite and i have been bit a few times but never had one latch on... if it's a big problem i guess you should just sell him.

goodluck

~ZF

although he (or she...never probed it) is beautiful. He's really psycho, I think....like a little F'ed in the head. My wife wants him to go (although it was an easter present for her last year).

This is from when we first got it. It's much bigger now and has held onto his color (still nice and white).

That has also been my experience with many of them. It's not anything you are doing wrong. I have had a few that were trustworthy but many were like that. Disheartening to spend the time and mone on a beautiful animal to have to deal with that.

There are many other Cal King keepers that have some how never had this problem. It always amazes me.

Whacko kings happen. I have mostly seen it in Cals. mostly. I would suggest sending it down the road and maybe go with an Eastern king, Mex. Black king etc. You don't have to put up with that nonsense in a king.

Don't blow off all kings because of this one.
My best to you.

I strongly agree with the last 2 sentences of that last post.

-Paul Stojek

np

np

Whenever your snake bites you and holds on just put a dab of rubbing alcohol on the tip of his nose and he will release immediately because of the fumes. I don't think it will hurt the snake either.

Cute fancy mice. What types of fancy mice do you keep?
Rita

I never really thought about what type they were. when I started I had two white mice ( a pair with pink eyes)they weren't producing like I thought they would so I purchased a get black male fancy and a golden yellow female. the male bred to the white female and produced lots of muttly looking offspring (grays and browns), after a few back breedings and sibling to sibling breedings I've ended up with a very interesting variety with every litter of mice (white with pink eyes, gray with pink eyes, white and "gold" w/ pink eyes, jet black w/ black eyes, grayish black w/ ruby red eyes, brown w/ ruby red/black eyes, white and grays, black and white, white and black, dark grays, light grays, it gets very different every year (better more diversity)... they've been breeding together since I have yet to add a store bought mouse to add to "the mix"
It's actually very interesting. I wish I would have kept notes on this.

~ZF

Ugh.... I no EXACTLY how you feel.... I have the same exact type of snake, a 50/50 of the same general size. Mine does the same exact thing(leisurely latches on....NEVER lets go) Do you think its the individual snake that are so troublesome, or just 50/50 cal kings in general?

Tim

I have a 50/50 Cal King (more like 60/40, which I prefer) and he's the best snake I've ever had. So inquisitive and confident.

One night within his first 2 weeks of arrival, he explored his 60-gallong vivarium for over 3 hours!

1) I noticed that your enclosure seems very sparse. Paper towels and maybe 1 hide spot?

I always make my vivarium mimic their natural environment as much as possible. Mine is in a 60-gallon setup with sand, many hiding spots, climbing spots and digging area. He stopped musking within 2 weeks, has never hissed nor bitten.

2) When you handle, speak to it in low, reassuring tones. Convey to it with your mind and your touch that it is safe. While holding, SWAY from side to side. When their heads point down and you sway, it almost hypnotizes them.

2) Some snakes just DO NOT do well with captivity and being handled. Some can be extremely aggressive and non-typical of their species.

If your setup is improved, you handle often and all the snake's physical needs are being met, yet it continues to bite, you are better off swapping for a new model. The individual makes all the difference - just like in dating & marriage.