Head shake- Adult Mexican Black King ?

[viper69]

I'm new to owning colubrids, gorgeous all of them. I do own boas and pythons.

I acquired an adult male Mexican Black King today. Impressively docile/calm, he shed today, no issue.

When he was resting on my lap OR in his brand new tank at times. I noticed he sort of shakes his head slightly side to side, almost a bit jerky. The movement encompasses his head and a bit past his neck, maybe one or two inches. There is no visible contraction of muscles under the scales.

My impression is he does this when he feels surprised perhaps??

He doesn't always do this, mind you I've only owned him for less than a day. For the moment there appears to be no pattern or periodicity to this "behavior".

Can any experienced colubrid owners shed some light on this?:confused:

Thanks in advance.

[viper69]

bump bump bump

[EL Ziggy]

Welcome and best wishes viper. I think youve got it right. My kings will get a little twitchy too when you first pick them up or when they're nervous.

[viper69]

Welcome and best wishes viper. I think youve got it right. My kings will get a little twitchy too when you first pick them up or when they're nervous.

Thank you Ziggy. I searched YouTube and this is the closest thing I could find, but in cornsnakes, otherwise it's identical.

I love kings, this one is so docile and laid back. Like my ball python, but more alert haha

Corn 1> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHTZsmNogKI

Corn 2, starts at 0:31 seconds https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1OHzsL3m7E&feature=youtu.be

Corn 3, this one shows the head motion RIGHT at very beginning > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbOQltGJgKs

Be curious to hear your feedback, as I said, my pythons and boas don't do this.


I'm surprised that given the obvious popularity of kingsnakes that this forum isn't larger or more active. I like this site a lot, but though for sure it would be more active.

[Albert Clark]

Well, i don't think this is any type of neurological issue at all. i have seen it in my garter snakes especially the babies and the neonates. It appears that it's part of the normal foraging locomotion and reptile rectilinear movement. It seems to be more obvious as the snake tries to navigate through grass and avoid obstructions in the forward movement.

[Pareeeee]

My corn does the same thing as the videos you shared - sometimes when she's nervous or unsure. Apparently some colubrids get "jerky" when they are ready to mate as well.

[viper69]

Thank you all, I appreciate the help/input.

[franks]

My MBK has done this before when he was younger and newer during feed time. I have absolutely nothing to base this on, but it seems like he will make certain movements sometimes almost as if he were trying to get prey to make a move. Almost like a boxer constantly bobbing. Kingsnakes are more sight oriented than most snakes.

Sometimes they will rattle their tail around too- pretty funny.

[viper69]

My MBK has done this before when he was younger and newer during feed time. I have absolutely nothing to base this on, but it seems like he will make certain movements sometimes almost as if he were trying to get prey to make a move. Almost like a boxer constantly bobbing. Kingsnakes are more sight oriented than most snakes.

Sometimes they will rattle their tail around too- pretty funny.

Thanks for the input! He's been eating normally and all. He only does it initially when the lid is opened when he's taken out to be handled. And a bit when he's handled. He's the most laid back snake I've ever seen. He's 4 yrs old and gorgeous jet shiny black. I'm surprised MBK's aren't more popular. But then again with pyro's and all the mutations I can see why some of those would be more popular.

This MBK doesn't move his tail at all. But one of my pythons does that. It's really fun to watch. I forget the technical name for that behavior.

[franks]

Oh man I forgot what that is called. I THINK it is "loitaling" or something similar. I could totally be butchering that wprd tho. I have a carpet python that will go to her perch and do that when she can smell the rats defrosting. I have a friend who breeds GTPs and all of his snakes exhibit this behavior. He explained it to me as the snake trying to lure or distract its prey. (Maybe to incite movement.) Im not sure if this was scientifically backed up or just his impression on the matter. I find it fascinating.