Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I don't normlly frequent this forum, and I see I'm not the first to post a pic like this, but I still thought you guys might enjoy this. This is one of the baby Florida Kings (I think) hatched recently at the refuge where I volunteer. I had heard they could be a problem to get started. I guess that wasn't entirely accurate...

just kidding i do it all the time, it's very addictive.

I don't see how you guys do that. My kings have such an awesome feeding response that is impossible. Everytime I've tried to feed them and handle them at the same time I've ended up with a king attached to my finger....lol. And they hate to let go...

The more you do it the better you get, hatchlings can barely draw blood, it's the 4' plus you have watch close, after a few times you learn how to keep the food item between the snake and the fingers then again sometimes they miss the food and grab the hand, oh well play the game pay the price.

Hi Jetzen,
All of your shots are just perfect. I have had one of my Cali Kings shoot out of the viv with such enthusiasm that he shot right off the table top and I had to grab him in mid air. He quite happily set to eating the rat in my hand. Five and a half feet long and the only person he ever bit was the lady who sold him to me in the reptile store, but that was several years ago and he was tiny then.
But then a different one bit me nicely yesterday and drew blood. But that was no feeding response, she was off up my jumper and I was trying to untangle her, she did not approve of my efforts. She was expressing her annoyance in no uncertain terms. Even though she is a large Kingsnake you don't exactly feel the bite and this morning there is absolutely no evidence of being bitten!
My Milksnake completely missed the mouse and bit the tongs yesterday. Just as well I was not using my fingers!
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AQ
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Biochemistry is the aweinspiring study of the fires of life
in all its glorious biodiversity.

Good thing kingsnake bites are mild, one time i got bit by a black pine, it's teeth felt like razor blades.
I will always enjoy feeding snakes, it's the same thrill i had when as a young boy feeding my tropical fish to my garters.
glad you like my pics, here's a MBK