Reptile & Amphibian Forums

So I'm a new snake owner and I've had my king for around 10 days now and thus far he has been completely docile, never once even showing any signs of aggression towards me until yesterday. He was moving around a lot in his cage and when I went to scoop him up he recoiled and took a shot at me not once but twice in a matter of seconds. He’s never done this before, and his conditions are unchanged since I got him. The last time I fed him was last Friday when I fed him 2 pinkies, and I’ve been handling him around an hour a day since I got him, I can only assume that I simply picked a bad time to try to pick him up but he’s been moving around a lot for the last 24 hours or so. I don’t know if I’m just being paranoid about a new pet or what but any advise you could give me would be greatly appreciated.

Hello.... any time i've had a very active kingsnake... i assume s/he is hungry... try picking him/her up wit a snake hook (or a wire hanger)...

i feed my hatchling kings in a deli cup so they don't develop a conditioned response (i.e. Open enclosure = Feeding time)... that will also prevent bedding from getting on the food item and causing intestinal blockage...

hope that helps

~ZF

Your snake & you will communicate most by tactile methods. Handle often; gently speak a times, just as you would to a friend. (Maybe learn to regard it as an Animal Companion, rather than a Pet?)

If it bites, just gently continue handling. If it latches on and won't let go, hold it under water.

I've raised many snakes across the years. I get them to stop musking within 5 days. They are comfortable with my movements around their vivarium and consistently handle well within weeks.

It's all in how you handle, and how often. Just like with horses...

I really appreciate the tips, it just came as a surprise yesterday because it had never happened before, I really should have just let him bite me yesterday so I could get over the anxiety about getting bitten after all I know that it will happen eventually. It’s just that since I got him I’ve been handling him everyday with zero problems he is generally an extremely mild mannered snake so it just came as a shock to see him that way. I’m going to handle him after I get done working today and then give him a pinkie he after all growing right now so I guess I’ll fee him every 4 or 5 days instead of every 6 like I was planning. I’ll tell you all how it goes. Thanks for your help I really appreciate it.

Gentle,consistent handling goes a long way.Sometimes they get up on the wrong side of the rock like we do. Good luck.

~ZF

np