Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My kingsnake is about four years old, and he has become increasingly aggressive after feedings. He strikes at any movement by his feeding container and follows movement by his terrarium [without striking]. Is this a normal behavior for him to be aggressive after feedings?

Yes, many pet kingsnakes get very excited before, during and after feeding time.

Third Eye

You've gotta love that. An uninhibited feeding response is often a sign of a snake with very low stress, which means you must be doing something right in addition to having an individual snake that is eager to feed. Be glad.

I would like to thank everyone who responded. Your responses really helped.^_^

My California Kingsnake tends to be the same way. Sometimes I have to dig him out of his substrate to feed, but when he gets going, he's aggressive. I feed him in a paper bag, and sometimes I'll wiggle my fingers in front of the opening to the bag but outside the cage to try to get him find the opening. Occasionally, he's struck at my fingers from the other side of the glass. Once, when I reached into the cage to try to help him find the bag, he bit at the end of one of my fingers. When I didn't taste like mouse, he spit the finger back out.

Bill
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It's not how many snakes you have. It's how happy and healthy you can keep them.

In Vancouver, WA, a pet store owner has a coastal phase Cal King that is VICIOUS when feeding. He sometimes even grabs his own tail or body and begins constricting. She is very afraid to put her hand in the cage when feeding.

Last I heard, it was still happening. Have no idea why. Remember, snakes are like us, they can be very individual, or even psychotic.

Will be interesting to hear what others have experienced with this phenomena.