feeding response?

[rwg]

Hello all.

I have an '03 cal king...probably 18 inches long, and as big around as my pinkie finger. Bought her at the show on the 22nd.

While handling her today here's what transpired: when I tried to take her out she was kind of flighty. Once out, she settled in my hands and then wrapped herself around my fingers. While moving around, she got tighter and tighter, and then eventually just bit on to one of my finger and held it. After 5 minutes or so I got bored with being constricted and chewed on so I gently unwrapped her coils, and dunked her head in her water bowl. About 2 minutes later she let go, came out of the water and reared up to grab her meal again. lol I'm assuming this was a feeding response, and not defensive.

Any idea what could have triggered a feeding response? I know for a fact I didn't smell like snake or rodent. My wife experienced a similar bite a few days ago. It doesn't hurt in the least...it's amusing in fact, but I'm curious as to why she thinks my fingers are edible.

For the record, 5 days ago she took 3 pinkies. They seemed quite small for her and she was cruising in a day or two, so 2 days ago we gave her two fuzzies. The fuzzies are at least her girth, so I figured that was a decent meal. Is she hungry ya think? Or do they just bite anything with a pulse? Is there a better way to get her to let go than trying to drown her? ;)

[edit: the only other thing I can think of is that my bull snake is on the other side of the same room. Maybe the smell is encouraging a feeding response?]
rg

[crazyboy]

Well it could be that she feels that you are a threat to her. remember she is still getting used to her new place to live and to you. other than tha ill let the more"experienced" members come up with other ideas.

[Andy_G]

Hunger is probably the cause, it wanted to eat your "pinkie" because it was hungry! ^_^

[vanderkm]

Definately sounds like a feeding response. Kings have big appetites - you are warm and moving - don't need to be a rodent or reptile for her to think you might be edible! Their eyes really are bigger than their stomachs.

Prevention is likely better than getting her off once she has bitten. I think she could easily handle meals that are 1.5 times her body girth and that make a sizable lump. Some of them just seem to like to feed a lot though - cold water may work faster and a drop of alcohol or the scent of alcohol (not rubbing alcohol but the kind that you drink) will often make them release a bite.

mary v.

[rwg]

Well we fed her again today. That's 3 feedings in a week. Hopefully if she's eating enough each feeding, we can switch to every 5 days. This time we used fuzzies a little wider than her widest girth. She took the first one off the tongs agressively, and took a second at her leisure off the floor about 10 minutes after finishing the first. It took her a little while to swallow the first one. About 15 minutes I'd say. I'll let her digest for a couple days, and then see how her demeanor is.

rg

[marisa]

Don't be surprised if it doesn't change her demeanor at all. That is just how a lot of kings are, slightly aggresive and they often bite before they bark. lol.

It will just take time to work her out of it.

Marisa