Reptile & Amphibian Forums

just last week i bought a female banded cali king. i mainly took her because she was a great feeder (she's big for her age - 6 months). she handled at first absolutely perfectly. then the other day when i lifted off her house, she started tail shaking and tried to strike several times so i left her to cool off for a bit before replacing her house (i didnt want to squash her) and i also added a cardboard toilet roll in the cool section of her tank to give her somewhere to hide when she was too hot, i replaced the lid and as i turned round i heard a noise, i turned back around and she was striking at the toilet roll (albeit at the hole) and her tail was shaking again, i've only once since took the house off her to see if she was ok and again, with the tail shaking and striking. i fed her yesterday and she took it no problem.

basically i'm looking for a little bit of advice. i dont want to pick her up anyway if she is stressed (i'm not worried about getting bit.....she's too small to do any damage lol) but at the same time i dont want to leave her too long as i want her used to being handled. any advice would be greatly appreciated, you can reply on here or to my email gill_welch@hotmail.com

thanks

photo

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj36/unholyangelbabygirl/Connee.jpg

Juvenile kings are generally skittish about being picked up. They're quite certain that everything is going to eat them. Frequency of holding them doesn't always make them easier to handle or more relaxed. Usually you're better off waiting until they gain some size and they will be less anxious.
-----
Holly

0.1 Lavender California Kingsnake (Lizzie Borden) (missing )
1.0 Bearded Dragon (Charley Manson)
1.0 Orange Marmalade Cat (Oliver)
1.0 Egyptian Arabian (Bagan)

2.0 Toddlers (Justice & Trevor)

I woud not stress on it at all, this is VERY normal behavior for kingsnakes. Even my adult will occasionally rattle their tails. I have two little guys maybe about the same age as yours and they rattle their tails quite a bit. I would recommend only holding them every few days for a few minutes. Next go into their cage daily without messing with them and clean out the cage, add water, whatever. This will help them feel better in the long run. Another thing is try not to take them out from their hiding area too often. Mine either bury themselves under the bedding or under a rock area. They seem to be more skiddish when I do have to find them in their hiding spots and rattle their tails. they also musk quite often which is not the best smell, specially when it is all over your hand. Don't worry though they will get more accustomed to you over the years. I have five Cal Kings aged 5-8 years old, three adults and two babies aged about 6-7 months.

Baby Banded

Baby Aberrant

-----
1.0.0 Lampropeltis getulus californiae Adult(Banded, Coastal Phase)
1.0.0 Lampropeltis getulus californiae baby(Banded, Desert Phase)
0.1.0 Lampropeltis getulus californiae Striped San Diego Phase
0.1.0 Lampropeltis getulus californiae Adult Aberrant High White
0.1.0 Lampropeltis getulus californiae Baby Aberrant
1.0.0 Hydrodynastes Gigas False Water Cobra
0.0.2 Thamnophis sirtalis Canadian Common garter Snake
0.0.1 Tupinambis teguixin Columbain Tegu
0.0.1 Varanus exanthematicus Savannah Monitor
0.0.1 Eublepharis macularius Pastel Leopard Gecko
1.1.0 Gopherus agassizii California Desert Tortoises
0.0.4 Sceloporus occidentalis Western Fence Lizards
0.0.1 Eumeces skiltonianus Western Skink
2.1.0 Trachemys scripta elegans Red Eared Sliders
1.1.0 Mustela putorius furo Ferrets
1.0.0 Nymphicus hollandicus White faced Cockatiel
0.1.0 Nymphicus hollandicus Albino Cockatiel
0.2.0 Mini Rex rabbits
0.1.0 American Bulldog