Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello. I have a four year old dwarf kingsnake. His name is Obsidian. He's really great. He used to be very well-tempered.

Problem is, lately, he's not been so friendly. He's about 2-3 cm in diameter, because he's a dwarf, and I feed him a rat pinky once a week. I'm obviously not trying to handle him when he's alseep, but lately, he's been very aggressive and prrone to biting. I'll pick him up, and he'll be friendly, then he'll come up to my hand and look at me as if he will bite. And there he goes. It's not a nip and let go thing, either. No, it's hard and he stays there for a good long time. And it looks like he's trying to escape.

He's been this way for two months; he slept almost nonstop one month, took a while to shed, and now he's irritable. Any idea what might be causing this? Or suggestions as to what to do? I miss holding the little guy.

P.S. My father says I should feed him outside the tank, in another area, so he doesn't associate his home with food, and therefore, biting. I don't think this sounds right, 'specially considering he'd be more likely to bite if it was time to feed him anyhow, and I'd be taking him out to move him. Any thoughts on that theory?

Thanks

I have never heard of a dwarf kingsnake. Maybe he is pissed off because of lack of food. Get him off the rat pinkies and feed him something with higher calcium like small weaned mice.

Seroisly I don't think he is striking at you because he is hungry. How long is the king and how old is he? None handling is probably your culprit but you should also start feeeding the poor little guy some meals. He is most likely malnourished and not a dwarf.

From what you are saying my guess is your snake is hungry and needs more food. I have seen this in a number of different kingsnakes I have acquired over the years. Funny thing is the previous owners were wanting to give me the snakes because they were aggressive. In every instance I would place the snake on an upgraded feeding regimen and in a couple of months the snakes no longer displayed this type of behavior.

Also, there is no such thing as a dwarf kingsnake. Its important to increase the size up the prey item while the snake is getting older and larger. With kings I don't start feeding rats until they have gotten to the point where jumbo mice are too small. Like bluerosy mentioned there will be more calcium in an adult mouse than a rat pup. Phil

All right. I'm feeding him more often now, any idea how long until it would be safe to handle him again? And the dealer told me he's a dwarf, so I'm not sure about the 'no dwarves' idea, but what can you do. Thanks, any other information is appreciated.