King snake

[Solid Snake]

I've had a few king snakes in the past year and this particular Cal king i have is starting to must alot. I'm not exactly sure why but most of the time when i pick him up he tries to run away, once i got him, he'll musk on me and it STINKS! I've had him for 3 months now, and i dont do much handling, so is that why he musks so much? he isn't tame?

I'm seriously thinking about getting rid of him, though i love cal kings, i just hate when they musk.

[Vanan]

How young is he? If he's still young, he'll grow out of it. If he's older, just handle him more often and he'll tame down. Good luck!

[marisa]

I agree!

Don't get rid of a snake because it musks you. Snakes aren't cats or dogs as I am sure you know, and some have a fiesty personality for life. Its part of their nature to defend themselves, and we are lucky to have so many species, and individuals who become so "tame"

Give him time, and lots of handling!

:)

Marisa

[jwsporty]

Yoeun905,

Look at it from the snake perspective..Here's this giant thing bearing down on top of him. Now if I was a snake what would I do? Run... Oh no...it got me, now what... defend myself, I better musk this threat.
So in response, what does the offender do?, puts the snake back down..
What does the snake think? I won.

Bottom line, musking is just a defense mechanism. I have an Albino Desert King and a Pueblan Milk that were notorious for doing the same. I learned that the easiest way to deal with it, is simply have a damp towel on hand for the clean-up (cause there will be clean-up) and then approach the snake from the side, (not from the front or the top). Do this with a cool hand, meaning wash your hands in cold, cold water and then pick him up slowly and hold him over his tank for a minute. When he musks and he will, DON'T put him back down (if you do this then the snake thinks he has won), instead keep handling the snake (mess and all) until he calms down. When you put him back into his tank, do it on your terms. Now run the snake through the damp towel to get rid of the musk (that is probably all over him and you and then put him back.)

This approach has worked great on both snakes mentioned as well as a couple others. I have also discovered that you are more likely to get musked if the pick up is done within 24 hours of a feed or when you pick him up right after a tub feed. I simply allow him to crawl out of his tub and back into his tank after eating and I have not had a problem since.

But don't get rid of the snake for this reason, you just have to condition him. My worst one took almost a month of this regime before he would calm down.

Well that's my .02 for the day...Now go clean up there boy, you're a mess ;)

Jim

[enso]

At least he's not biting, just handle him frequently, make sure your hands are clean and don't smell like another snake or predator.

[marylyn101]

you are an idoit pal

[gonesnakee]

Hey Marylyn101, not sure who the idiot is supposed to be, but it looks like you to me. At least learn to spell your insults properly I-D-I-O-T! Thanx for your support & the knowledge you shared on the thread. People will be sure to go to you for your opinon often, as it obvious that you are quite knowledgable & well spoken, NOT!
Mark
P.S. yoeun905 lisen to the advice already offered & ignore the idiot, LOL.

[enso]

Thanks gonesnakee, someone had to say it. =P

[KingJaff]

this is like a month old and i hope you still have your snake, but you just have to show him whos boss, if your really scared of it, then get drunk and be gental and you wont feel him if he bites:)
or use gloves, or just do a steve ewrin