Questions about tail rattling

[ckdavis9]

Okay so I have had Enzo, my mex mex kingsnake, for about a month now. For the first two weeks he was actually quite calm but I feel like ever since I had to force him out of his log, he has been way more flighty. He NEVER has musked or tried to bite but now, almost every time I try to pick him up he rattles his tail at me. Once he is in my hands, he squirms a bit but calms down after a few minutes. I guess I'm just wondering- what does the rattling mean? I know he is trying to intimidate me but should I expect a bite or will he flee before actually trying to strike at me? Does this lessen with time or is he just going to have a little attitude?

I feed him on Mondays and give him a day or two to digest but usually by Wednesday or Thursday I start getting him out again almost daily until the next feeding. Maybe this is too much? I am just trying to get him used to me... :/ Sorry I know I am kind of rambling but I want to be thorough and I would really like to avoid being bit... haha

Any advice would be much appreciated :) Thanks!

[drumcrush]

They mimic rattle snakes. They use this to warn predators. Don't worry about it tho, mine does it all the time. I have never gotten bitten once. They do this because in the wild, birds and other animals come from above so when you are reaching into your tank, it's only instinct.

[ckdavis9]

They mimic rattle snakes. They use this to warn predators. Don't worry about it tho, mine does it all the time. I have never gotten bitten once. They do this because in the wild, birds and other animals come from above so when you are reaching into your tank, it's only instinct.

That's good to know :) I like a little spunk anyway ;) haha makes the whole experience more rewarding

[slowhite03]

Mine did that but as they grow older and get use to you, they stop doing it. or at least mine did

[EL Ziggy]

I agree with the others, its just a harmless intimidation tactic they use. My Cal King did it the first time I handled him but hasnt done it since. My MBK has never rattled her tail at me but she did musk me a time or two when I first got her 2 months ago. If you're handling him regularly I'm pretty sure Enzo will calm down. I only handle my snakes once or twice a week and they're both pretty tame.

[ErikBush97]

My Corn snake does it, too. Don't worry about it

[drumcrush]

I've read that any snake that lives in an area where rattlesnakes are present, they will rattle their tail to scare off other animals.

[SSSSnakes]

I've read that any snake that lives in an area where rattlesnakes are present, they will rattle their tail to scare off other animals.

Many snakes rattle their tail when aggravated. They don't necessarily have to be snakes that live where Rattlesnakes do, my Asian Rat snakes rattle their tails and they don't live near Rattlesnakes. It simply is a defensive tactic to get you to leave them alone. They may or may not grow out of it.

[drumcrush]

Many snakes rattle their tail when aggravated. They don't necessarily have to be snakes that live where Rattlesnakes do, my Asian Rat snakes rattle their tails and they don't live near Rattlesnakes. It simply is a defensive tactic to get you to leave them alone. They may or may not grow out of it.

Awesome to know:p

[Concept9]

Many snakes rattle their tail when aggravated. They don't necessarily have to be snakes that live where Rattlesnakes do, my Asian Rat snakes rattle their tails and they don't live near Rattlesnakes. It simply is a defensive tactic to get you to leave them alone. They may or may not grow out of it.


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[ckdavis9]

Thanks again everyone for being so helpful! :D I have been really busy this weekend with work so I didn't get to handle him at all and feeding day is tomorrow so I will be waiting until Wednesday or so before getting him out again so he can properly digest :) I make an effort to at least get him out 2-3 times per week and will continue to do that so hopefully he will calm down a bit. If not, as I said before, a little spunk doesn't bother me any! haha

[slowhite03]

It took mine about a year to get the tail rattle completely gone

[ErikBush97]

I've had my corn snake since July 4th, and she still does that from time to time. Don't worry about it. They do that to try and scare you off.

[Terranaut]

They don't just rattle their tails in defense. My gopher rattles hers when she smells prey.
http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/general-colubrid-forum/101695-pituophis-tail-rattle.html

[revent]

My Cali rattled his tail at me when I first got him ( that would be last march)but now he doesnt. However with that said he still rattles his tail when anyone else approaches him and he also rattles his tail while he is eating. He does get excited about eating tho and struck at me a few times as I removed him from his eating aquarium when he was new but I think he has the routine down now mostly. Two weeks ago I think he was trying to kill my left hand and eat it but he eventually gave up Lol.