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I have a 12 year old male graybanded kingsnake. Never a behavior problem till recently. Last month he shook his tail at me when I got him out of his enclosure (nothing else). I'd just moved him into a new enclosure, so I moved him back. No problem since then till yesterday, when while I was picking him up out of his enclosure he shook his tail again and peed. He was in shed, but I've never had this problem even when he was in shed before. I'm thinking of taking him to the vet once he sheds to check to see if it may be a sign he's in some sort of pain, but was wondering if anyone else has seen such a change in behavior in their king? Thanks for taking the time to read this, and any responses.
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1.0.0 277 Graybanded Kingsnake, Boris Karloff - R.I.P.
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0.1.0 Smart & Loving Daughter

What your snake is doing is very normal in many snakes, especially Kings and Milks. Vibrating/shaking tail is a sign of agitation/nervousness and is a defense behavior. I have witnessed this in babies in all of my time keeping snakes, and with some adults. Nothing is wrong with your snake, and it is quite normal. I have seen snakes of mine who never did this before, out of the blue, do this, and it was just simply them being agitated. Very normal!
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Genesis 1:1

I experienced a radical change in behavior recently - for the better. Here is my prior link:
http://forums.kingsnake.com/view.php?id=2028590,2111252

In YOUR case, however, something seems to have changed. Like when a machine that operated smoothly for years suddenly starts to malfunction. Then you later find out that a power outage, circuit change or electrical outlet swapped occurred just before the problems.

By any chance, is scent an issue? Did you just hold a dog or cat prior to the tail rattling experiences? Had you just handled any other snakes? Any other strange odors that may apply? (I have to be cautious of scent with my Florida King. I sometimes handle my Rosy Boa before him, and he definitely smells her on my clothing, along with the household cat that I often touch.)

For a stable adult to suddenly exhibit defensive behavior with the same person is not normal; that situation usually occurs in reverse when younger individuals are defensive - but get calmer with age.

I would ensure that no odors are a factor, and then handle daily for at least 10-15 minutes. Talk to the snake, caress it, sit down on the floor with it and watch it crawl around for awhile as a non-tall, now-my-size buddy. See if these things help to calm your snake and result in more trusting behavior.

1.0 Florida Kingsnake "Sardaukar"
0.1 Sonoran Desert Boa (Mexican Rosy Boa) "Summer"
0.1 Dumeril's Boa "Zahara"

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