California King tail.. twitching?

[Crashcrashboom]

Have any of you noticed your kingsnake's tail kind of twitching at random times (Not shaking/rattling, I realize what that means)? at first I thought it was him just being kinda nervous and wanting to be put down but he's not really jumpy when he does it and every once in a while I'll see him "twitching" on his own in his terrarium. It's just kinda a slow, erratic tail wagging. I'm just wondering if it's a sign of stress and also, if it is, should it be ignored so he doesn't learn that if he twitches he'll get put down? Thanks! :)

[Starbuck]

i've seen my snake do that when 'stalking' a prey item, its not the same as the 'im threatened' rattle. they've only done it a few times though; mostly at night, when the prey was very hot, and the one time i fed a live chick to my largest snake.

[Concept9]

i've seen my snake do that when 'stalking' a prey item, its not the same as the 'im threatened' rattle. they've only done it a few times though; mostly at night, when the prey was very hot, and the one time i fed a live chick to my largest snake.

Speaking about chicks. I have read that they are good for Kingsnakes. I have never been able to find any around my area, is there any truth to this or are they about the same as rats ?

[Starbuck]

i happened across the live chick through some of my other volunteer work (at a raptor center). Its not something i would make a habit of, im more wary of parasites in live feeder birds, and they make messier poops. You kind of fall into the same trap as baby rats vs mice though; immature animals are less calcified and have more of the stuff you dont need/want anyways.

That being said i do think baby/small birds must be part of the wild kingsnake diet, so i dont see too much harm. Mice are just fine though.

[BryanB]

It could have to deal with a hunting thing such as keeping prey attention. My dart frogs do this to get bugs to move. here is a video of one of my frogs, watch his rear feet. if it works
http://i1223.photobucket.com/albums/dd506/glass-frog/th_IMG_0294.jpg (http://i1223.photobucket.com/albums/dd506/glass-frog/IMG_0294.mp4)

[Starbuck]

BryanB, that is an awesome video! very cool :)

[smy_749]

Call him thumper.