Reptile & Amphibian Forums

We recently adopted a 3yr old milk snake who was fairly regularly handled. Very docile and eats really well. (He ate when we got him home since it was feeding day). But everytime I handle him for any amount of time he bites me and chews. He never gives any warning signs of hissing, striking, rattling his tail, musking, pooping, coiling. He doesnt do anything before he bites and chews. I have just been trying to pick him up once a day in the evenings to 1. Get him used to my scent and 2. Just give him a once over to make sure he feels and looks alright in his new environment. The last two times he has bitten me he does a little twitch with the front half of his body, not involuntarily, it seems deliberate and then he either looks around a little more and then bites or he just goes in and bites and gives a little chew with it. If anyone has experienced this or has any thoughts I would love to know because this is my first snake and i want him to be comfortable with us. Thanks

Note that with milksnakes and kingsnakes - there is no guarantee of never receiving a bite. Some individuals, bloodlines and localities are more flighty than others. Also, some can bite as a feed response. Is the snake hungry? In Spring they can typically want to eat alot, then taper down to Summer. It could be that your snake is simply hungry.

Don't fall for those "feed once per week" caresheet guidelines. Feed when they are hungry but be mindful of their body weight, etc. In time you will be better able to read the snake's behavior.

Lastly, milksnakes as a whole tend to not like to be held. There are a few species that are quite tractable, but most are not comfortable with it. Keep handling to a minimum - you can do it, just do not overdo the time in any handling session.