New Brooks King Snake

[TheFrogman]

So I got myself a new Brooks King Snake (No Name Yet) at Repticon today, the show was awesome. I wasn't looking for a Brooks but that's what I came home with, people that know me would say, "yep, that's Gary."

She's a female and a little over a year old or so, I measured her and shes approximately 42-44 inches.

I've read and heard a good deal of horror stories about Brooks already, I hear they are biters. I've handled her 3 times today and so far I'm bite free, I'm told that will change.

Are they as bad as I hear? Also, someone asked me if shes a Normal, I don't know, can you guys tell from these pictures?

http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af358/Reptile_Nest/nn5_zps0640b0c1.jpg

http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af358/Reptile_Nest/nn3_zpsdce387e9.jpg

[psychocircus]

I don't really consider them biters. They have a crazy food response, so you have to train it in a way to know when you are feeding vs when you are going to be handling.

Mine is not this big, but I've never gotten a strike except for when food was involved. Every time I touch the cage though, he'll come out of his hide and extend to the top of the cage.

[psychocircus]

I'll also add that out of all my snakes, the brooks is the most "comfortable" with handling. Granted, all of my snakes are docile and relaxed during handling, but this one will just stay on my hand even when given the opportunity to crawl away on the couch.

[sharthun]

Beautiful King!! Congrats!!!




So I got myself a new Brooks King Snake (No Name Yet) at Repticon today, the show was awesome. I wasn't looking for a Brooks but that's what I came home with, people that know me would say, "yep, that's Gary."

She's a female and a little over a year old or so, I measured her and shes approximately 42-44 inches.

I've read and heard a good deal of horror stories about Brooks already, I hear they are biters. I've handled her 3 times today and so far I'm bite free, I'm told that will change.

Are they as bad as I hear? Also, someone asked me if shes a Normal, I don't know, can you guys tell from these pictures?

http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af358/Reptile_Nest/nn5_zps0640b0c1.jpg

http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af358/Reptile_Nest/nn3_zpsdce387e9.jpg

[kwhitlock]

From what I hear, most kings are not aggressive they just have a feeding response like out of this world. I think hook training will be a good idea to avoid any kind of biting!

But beautiful snake! :) always like brooskies :)

[Teal]

She is lovely! Her pattern is really neat.. love the colours

[Mikoh4792]

Damn that's a big kingsnake! Love how fierce and fearless brooks kingsnakes look.

[TheFrogman]

Damn that's a big kingsnake! Love how fierce and fearless brooks kingsnakes look.

I haven't weighed her yet but she big and heavy to hold. I did measure her, or get a estimate of her length as she's still squirmy but I have her measured about 42-44 inches.

[TheFrogman]

I still don't have a name for her but im working on it.

http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af358/Reptile_Nest/NoName_zps4cf2d355.jpg

[Terranaut]

Kings are not biters....they are hungry all the time. So keep clean hands and don't handle when the smell of prey is in your home and your all good. Pet a dog and your king will think your now prey and try to eatnyour hand.

[SnoopySnake]

Nice, she's great looking:)

[TheFrogman]

Kings are not biters....they are hungry all the time. So keep clean hands and don't handle when the smell of prey is in your home and your all good. Pet a dog and your king will think your now prey and try to eatnyour hand.
I appreciate this, It what I was thinking, I wash my hands EVERY single time before and after I handle any snake.

I figured they are hungry and see a hand and think, "Lunch":)

Nice, she's great looking
Thanks Snoop

[EL Ziggy]

Very nice pick up Frog. That's a beautiful Brooksi. I think kings sometimes get a bad rep. Both of mine are great eaters but they are a dream to handle. Never bit or even struck at me defensively. Best wishes with your new addition.

[wrecker45]

Wow very nice. For a name how about Brooke

[revent]

Very nice looking snake! Like everyone else said I've only ever been bitten by my kingsnake when he thought I was food. I did pet a cat once while holding him and immediately afterwards he tried to murder my left hand.

[wrecker45]

I just fed both my cali kings. It amazes me how hard and fast they hit there prey.

[drumcrush]

Beautiful! Nice pick up!

[TheFrogman]

A suggestion form someone on Facebook was to name her Domino, I like that..so Domino she is.

[wrecker45]

Nice name.

[sharthun]

Nice name.

I agree!!;)

[Tsubaki]

Domino is very fitting, nice snake !!

[TheFrogman]

Thanks everyone, love yall

[TheZoo]

mine was agressive (never bit though) but she did come from a past home of abuse and poor feeding habits, shes lovely and I bet even if she is "spirted" youll still love her

[TheFrogman]

mine was agressive (never bit though) but she did come from a past home of abuse and poor feeding habits, shes lovely and I bet even if she is "spirted" youll still love her

Thank you, I hate to hear about abuse stories.

[TheFrogman]

Here we go, I took Domino out tonight, I washed my hands and I even changed my shirt so she could not smell my other animals.............oh she's a biter !!!! Doesn't hurt, she didn't even break my skin, she released on her own but 5 or 6 bite, hell she even tried to bite herself twice. But she didn't bite me right away.

Anyway, It started good, she was happy and just seemed content as I held her, then she started constricting around me so tight, tighter and tighter that I literally couldn't get her off my wrist. When I would try to unwrap her from my hand she just constricted tighter and tighter, and tried to bite me. I placed my hand in her enclosure with her around my hand thinking she would go off all by herself into a hide, NO ! She bit me. Again, I felt her teeth, didn't hurt but I really wanted to get her off and get this.... she started squeaking like a mouse !!!!!

I finally got her off, an hour later but now she is very, very pissed off, she's going back and forth in her enclosure like a Tiger in a cage.

In fact she's in her enclosure now 15-20 minutes and she's still so angry that's she's biting herself.

Thoughts, digs, laughs, comments ???

[Mikoh4792]

She's probably just in the zone.

My cali king would do the same. Bit everything including her self. She even tried to eat the snake hook one time constricting it aggressively. Also tried eating my gloves.

When I put her back into the enclosure to let her calm down she'd pace back and forth as well, looking for something to devour....so I'd just give her a nice meal and she'd chill out for a few days in her hide.

[TheFrogman]

She's probably just in the zone.

My cali king would do the same. Bit everything including her self. She even tried to eat the snake hook one time constricting it aggressively. Also tried eating my gloves.

When I put her back into the enclosure to let her calm down she'd pace back and forth as well, looking for something to devour....so I'd just give her a nice meal and she'd chill out for a few days in her hide.
Thanks my friend, im gonna feed her again tonight, I didn't know snakes made squeak sound?

[Mikoh4792]

Thanks my friend, im gonna feed her again tonight, I didn't know snakes made squeak sound?

Probably just choked on something. I wouldn't know, but I think I've heard a few of my snakes make weird squeaking sounds once in a blue moon while constricting their food.

[TheFrogman]

Probably just choked on something. I wouldn't know, but I think I've heard a few of my snakes make weird squeaking sounds once in a blue moon while constricting their food.

It was while biting me ! LOL

[Snakefood]

Never really got into the Kings myself, but I have to admit, that is one BEAUTIFUL gal you have there!!

[sharthun]

It was while biting me ! LOL

Cool snake with attitude! Don't give up! :)

[LiL Zap]

Nice snake. I've always heard about the temperament of these guys...it's not so positive lol.

[TheFrogman]

Nice snake. I've always heard about the temperament of these guys...it's not so positive lol.

No its not, I admit that If I did proper research prior to buying this species I would NOT have but I have her now and I will do my best to do the right stuff by her.

[sharthun]

Nice snake. I've always heard about the temperament of these guys...it's not so positive lol.

Some King snakes get a bad rap, but IMO without knowing how the snake was treated before taking possession just gives you a chance to turn things around and do things correctly. The snake will come around with some patience and proper husbandry and conditioning. I do realize that all snakes are different and there are those who are just crazy! I do know that king snakes are much more mellow on a full stomach! lol

[EL Ziggy]

No its not, I admit that If I did proper research prior to buying this species I would NOT have but I have her now and I will do my best to do the right stuff by her.
Hang in there Frogman. She'll most likely calm down. They can be a bit defensive in the beginning. She's still acclimating to you and her new environment. In two months you'll be telling us what a sweetheart she is :) .

[TheFrogman]

Hang in there Frogman. She'll most likely calm down. They can be a bit defensive in the beginning. She's still acclimating to you and her new environment. In two months you'll be telling us what a sweetheart she is :) .

Thanks and I hope your right, as I love having her but I admit im a little nervous when handling her, and I hate that feeling of nervousness around her...thank Goodness her bites don't hurt, yet. LOL

[sharthun]

Thanks and I hope your right, as I love having her but I admit im a little nervous when handling her, and I hate that feeling of nervousness around her...thank Goodness her bites don't hurt, yet. LOL

Frogman,, I totally agree with EZ! you have a great snake there! Don't give up! Have you started hook training? I think this would help as well. Beautiful snake!:)

[TheFrogman]

Frogman,, I totally agree with EZ! you have a great snake there! Don't give up! Have you started hook training? I think this would help as well. Beautiful snake!:)

I do hook train all of my snakes and I have with Domino, shes good coming out of her enclosure, and good for a few minutes and then like a switch, she become agitated while holding her, as some say,she may have been hungry. I fed her again last night and Ill see how it goes.

I have only had her a week tomorrow, so I know its early

Thanks sharthun, all you guys rock !

[sharthun]

I do hook train all of my snakes and I have with Domino, shes good coming out of her enclosure, and good for a few minutes and then like a switch, she become agitated while holding her, as some say,she may have been hungry. I fed her again last night and Ill see how it goes.

I have only had her a week tomorrow, so I know its early

Thanks sharthun, all you guys rock !

Cool! yeah my MBK get's a little edgy when she's hungry! lol But 2 days of hook training when she was young she came around. She bit me twice I think when she was small. lol

[TheFrogman]

She just watches me as I drink my coffee, I swear she wants to eat me.


http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af358/Reptile_Nest/DSCF2746_zps6b205612.jpg

[EL Ziggy]

She just wants to make sure you're not going to eat her :) ! She has really beautiful markings.

[TheFrogman]

She just wants to make sure you're not going to eat her :) ! She has really beautiful markings.

LOL, thanks...

She seems a lot calmer today

[sharthun]

She just wants to make sure you're not going to eat her :) ! She has really beautiful markings.

Yep!! I agree. :)

[TheFrogman]

Wow, what a full belly and a few days make, I took Domino out just now, only for a 5 minutes (baby steps) and she was wonderful, very curious and she did hiss once but she was very ,very calm and doscile. I was more nervous than she was.

Sorry, no pictures as I wanted to concentrate on her only.

[sharthun]

Wow, what a full belly and a few days make, I took Domino out just now, only for a 5 minutes (baby steps) and she was wonderful, very curious and she did hiss once but she was very ,very calm and doscile. I was more nervous than she was.

Sorry, no pictures as I wanted to concentrate on her only.

Great news! Full king snake is a happy king snake! :D;)

[TheFrogman]

Great news! Full king snake is a happy king snake! :D;)

Ha Ha, a girlz gotta eat ! Right?

[sharthun]

Ha Ha, a girlz gotta eat ! Right?

True that! :)

[Terranaut]

Great news! Full king snake is a happy king snake! :D;)

I have never seen a full king..... no such thing ;)

[sharthun]

I have never seen a full king..... no such thing ;)

Good point!!!! :D

[Sharlynn93]

I just watched an old episode of "wild america" this morning and it was a special on kings...they showed one attacking and eating a rattlesnake and didn't even appear to make a bulge in it! Very interesting program!

[TheFrogman]

I just watched an old episode of "wild america" this morning and it was a special on kings...they showed one attacking and eating a rattlesnake and didn't even appear to make a bulge in it! Very interesting program!

Damn..I would have liked to see that show, Ill have to google it and see if I can find it

EDIT, found it on youtube, had to pay 1.99 for it....I could not figure out how to embed but here is in its entirety for your viewing pleasure

Clink here to watch>>Wild America : King of Snakes (http://www.reptilenest.com/showthread.php?415-Wild-America-King-of-Snakes&p=1441#post1441)

[EL Ziggy]

Wow, what a full belly and a few days make, I took Domino out just now, only for a 5 minutes (baby steps) and she was wonderful, very curious and she did hiss once but she was very ,very calm and doscile. I was more nervous than she was.

Sorry, no pictures as I wanted to concentrate on her only.

Glad to see you and Domino making progress Frog. With short, gentle, consistent handling she'll be putty in your hands. You are the bringer of warmth, water and food after all :) . Keep up the good work mon frere.

[TheFrogman]

Glad to see you and Domino making progress Frog. With short, gentle, consistent handling she'll be putty in your hands. You are the bringer of warmth, water and food after all :) . Keep up the good work mon frere.

Thanks Ziggy, I love her, we just needed to come to terms and as soon I came to hers everything worked. LOL

[TheFrogman]

She must be getting hungry, shes pacing back and forth in her enclosure, she's scheduled to eat tomorrow morning. She just eat 3 days ago.

[sharthun]

She must be getting hungry, shes pacing back and forth in her enclosure, she's scheduled to eat tomorrow morning. She just eat 3 days ago.

Yep she's hungry again!:)

[Terranaut]

The only time mine won't eat is when he is in blue. Otherwise he even shoots out of his hide to see people walking by. Then he stops and is like ....ahh man....not food. Then just goes about his business.

[TheFrogman]

The only time mine won't eat is when he is in blue. Otherwise he even shoots out of his hide to see people walking by. Then he stops and is like ....ahh man....not food. Then just goes about his business.

LOL, sounds like mine too, she watches me, and my cat and I can hear her thinking..Mmmmmm lunch, LOL

[sharthun]

LOL, sounds like mine too, she watches me, and my cat and I can hear her thinking..Mmmmmm lunch, LOL

Medusa, my MBK has had a ravenous appetite!

[TheFrogman]

Domino shed for me, first time I actually got to see it, usually I wake up to a shed skin.

Shes so pretty and shiney now, I love it, couldn't get pics of her new skin, she shed and ran for cover. LOL

http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af358/Reptile_Nest/1_zps87f2bc1c.jpg

http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af358/Reptile_Nest/2_zps16c73f4d.jpg

http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af358/Reptile_Nest/3_zpsd1dae8bc.jpg

http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af358/Reptile_Nest/4_zpsb8876001.jpg

http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af358/Reptile_Nest/5_zps21b8920c.jpg

[sharthun]

Looking good man! Does Domino eat during shed?

[TheFrogman]

Looking good man! Does Domino eat during shed?

Yes, in fact stupid me....I didn't realize that she was actually shedding at first so I fed her two big mice, she ate them and continued to shed, then dummy me realized she was shedding. My Spotty Python eats while shedding too.

[sharthun]

Yes, in fact stupid me....I didn't realize that she was actually shedding at first so I fed her two big mice, she ate them and continued to shed, then dummy me realized she was shedding. My Spotty Python eats while shedding too.

Lol, my mbk and prairie king won't eat during shed but my Corn and black milk will. Just curious. Still a gorgeous snake!

[TheFrogman]

Thanks, many criticize me for feeding during shed, my thoughts are, if shell eat then why not.

Shes not all that friendly...LOL

She just popped out to say good morning.

http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af358/Reptile_Nest/Dom01_zps393ce166.jpg

[sharthun]

Thanks, many criticize me for feeding during shed, my thoughts are, if shell eat then why not.

Shes not all that friendly...LOL

She just popped out to say good morning.

http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af358/Reptile_Nest/Dom01_zps393ce166.jpg

I agree! Look a that cute face :p

[CosmicOwl]

I don't see the problem with feeding during shed. My gray rat snake won't eat while he is blue, but my little blood red corn snake will. She has a king snake feeding response though... When she sees a pinky she strikes and wraps her whole body around it until she is sure it is thoroughly dead.

[EL Ziggy]

All of my snakes eat during shed too. My MBK used to be a bit finicky if she was in shed but not anymore.

[CosmicOwl]

Speak of the devil. I mention feeding my snakes during shed and then check on my gray rat snake to find him all blue.

[LiL Zap]

Thanks, many criticize me for feeding during shed, my thoughts are, if shell eat then why not.

Shes not all that friendly...LOL

She just popped out to say good morning.

http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af358/Reptile_Nest/Dom01_zps393ce166.jpg
I don't see why people criticize you for that. If the snake will eat then there's no problem...in my opinion at least.

[TheFrogman]

I don't see why people criticize you for that. If the snake will eat then there's no problem...in my opinion at least.
Thanks for the encouragement, Im criticized because some say it could promote regurge

[Sharlynn93]

all of mine have eaten while in shed...no problems so far...

[DMong]

Here we go, I took Domino out tonight, I washed my hands and I even changed my shirt so she could not smell my other animals.............oh she's a biter !!!! Doesn't hurt, she didn't even break my skin, she released on her own but 5 or 6 bite, hell she even tried to bite herself twice. But she didn't bite me right away.

Anyway, It started good, she was happy and just seemed content as I held her, then she started constricting around me so tight, tighter and tighter that I literally couldn't get her off my wrist. When I would try to unwrap her from my hand she just constricted tighter and tighter, and tried to bite me. I placed my hand in her enclosure with her around my hand thinking she would go off all by herself into a hide, NO ! She bit me. Again, I felt her teeth, didn't hurt but I really wanted to get her off and get this.... she started squeaking like a mouse !!!!!

I finally got her off, an hour later but now she is very, very pissed off, she's going back and forth in her enclosure like a Tiger in a cage.

In fact she's in her enclosure now 15-20 minutes and she's still so angry that's she's biting herself.

Thoughts, digs, laughs, comments ???

She's not angry at anything or herself because she is repeatedly biting. She is a bit underweight and Florida kingsnakes (L.g.floridana) have a very fast metabolism and voracious appetite compared to many other types of snakes. I would feed it two mice at a time every 4 to 5 days for a while that are approximately 1/3rd larger than the widest diameter of the snake at mid-body. I think you will see her calm down immensely when fed more. I've owned and bred many Florida kings and other kingsnakes of the getula complex over the years, and this is a very commonly seen issue with them when they aren't fed enough, or frequently enough. What you are describing is DEFINITELY a feeding response and not a defensive response.

cheers, ~Doug

http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc140/DMong_bucket/IMG_0044-5.jpg

http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc140/DMong_bucket/IMG_0003-7.jpg

http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc140/DMong_bucket/IMG_0014-4.jpg

http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc140/DMong_bucket/IMG_0025-1.jpg

http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc140/DMong_bucket/IMG_0051-2.jpg

[EL Ziggy]

Wow Doug! Welcome to the forum. Those are some beautiful kings. Do you feed your kings mice exclusively? How much/often would you feed yearlings? Thanks for sharing.

[DMong]

Wow Doug! Welcome to the forum. Those are some beautiful kings. Do you feed your kings mice exclusively? How much/often would you feed yearlings? Thanks for sharing.

Thanks, El-Ziggy!

Yes, exclusively mice unless they are very large adults, in which case they get small rats. As juveniles, I generally feed the young kingsnakes two mice per feeding that put a noticeably visible lump in their mid-section every 4-5 days. They will put all these calories toward growth. You can tweak the diet as needed later on depending what the sex is and what they will be used for such as a breeding female and egg gestation, or a lone male, etc...

Anyway, as youngsters, basically two of whatever they can fit down their small heads/necks at that stage. They have very strong neck muscles to consume decent sized prey and an incredibly fast metabolism. As long as they have a small portion of one far end that they can access in the mid-80s to properly digest, and the opposite side of the enclose ambient temps are in the mid-70s to conserve body mass, all is good.


~Doug

[EL Ziggy]

Thanks, El-Ziggy!

Yes, exclusively mice unless they are very large adults, in which case they get small rats. As juveniles, I generally feed the young kingsnakes two mice per feeding that put a noticeably visible lump in their mid-section every 4-5 days. They will put all these calories toward growth. You can tweak the diet as needed later on depending what the sex is and what they will be used for such as a breeding female and egg gestation, or a lone male, etc...

Anyway, as youngsters, basically two of whatever they can fit down their small heads/necks at that stage. They have very strong neck muscles to consume decent sized prey and an incredibly fast metabolism. As long as they have a small portion of one far end that they can access in the mid-80s to properly digest, and the opposite side of the enclose ambient temps are in the mid-70s to conserve body mass, all is good.


~Doug

Thanks again Doug. That's just about how I feed my kings and my pit. They usually get 2 prey items every 6 days. My bull would definitely prefer to be fed every 4-5 days. I just like the simplicity of feeding all the snakes on the same schedule.