Rattling California Kingsnake....

[Tigergenesis]

I had totally forgotten that kings will imitate rattlers and rattle their tails - that is until my new girl rattled at me today. I went in her quarantine cage to change her water and I thought I'd seen some urates. I moved very slowly, but she seems to have keen eyesight/awareness of me when I'm barely in the room. I heard this noise and looked over realizing that she was rattling her tale. Kind of neat to hear, but I hate the idea that I may have been stressing her.

I know how rattlesnakes develop their rattles - how is it that kings are able to rattle as well? Is it the same as rattlesnakes?

When I picked her up at the reptile show yesterday she was as docile as could be - even when I brought her home. The lady told me to watch out because she can be nippy at times, so I was impressed/glad when she didn't show any such behavior with me yesterday. I tried not to bother her after getting in her cage, but I'm wanting to know how I should handle/approach her when she rattles at me - just ignore it and not back off? I'm not afraid of getting bit (I'm sure I'm bound to get bit one day by one of my snakes), but I'm more concerned about stressing her out. Any suggestions are appreciated. Thanks!

[Tim_Cranwill]

Lots of snakes will do that, especially young ones. You should feel it in your hand... it's fast! :D

[Andy_G]

They just vibrate their tails very rapidly and hit things with it to make a rattle noise. Ignore it, as long as you aren't handling the snake(unless you have to handle it to move it out for cleaning) don't worry about stressing it too much.

[Tigergenesis]

So even when she does it I can go ahead and pick her up? I won't do it yet as she's still settling in and just ate, but I'd like to get her a bit used to me. Thanks!

[jwsporty]

I agreed with Tim. The small ones will do it pretty much everytime you get in their space. The older ones tend to do it during feed time. An albinos..? They'll just do it for the hell of it..;)

Good luck with your new baby

Jim

[marisa]

Yeah they love to rattle!

I have an adult female cornsnake who LOVES to rattle. When she smells food, watch out. She rattles like a mad woman. "Stay away from my food!"

Marisa

[urd]

marisa, have you ever seen a corn flatten its head aswell as rattle? i think its so funny to see a corn trying to make you think its venomous:D

[vanderkm]

No kidding on the albinos doing it just for the hell of it - my male just seems to set off on anything - loves the sound of his own tail rattling. Most of them do grow out of it though, but we even had our old female do it once when I startled her.

As far as stressing yours out - I wouldn't be too worried - cal kings are pretty resiliant - a little stress won't hurt,

mary v.

[Yness]

My female cal king still does it on occasion but she just likes to act tough....

[gonesnakee]

Just so its stated. All Colubrids will do the "rattle snake shake", but they require something for their tail to hit to make the rattle noise. Rattlesnakes on the other hand develop their rattletails with each shed. Each shed adds a new section to the "rattle" & the nosie comes from the "rattles" not from the tail striking the side of something. The rattlers can rattle their tails just like a baby with a toy one. Mimicry in nature is a very common defense. looks at all the tricolors for example. "Yellow on black ya might come back, yellow on red you'll end up dead!" or "Red touch yellow can Kill a fellow". These sayings refer to the Coral Snake mimics. Mark

[snakehunter]

I scared a black snake who was basking in some dry leaves, and i about jumped six feet when i heard it because it was so close. but i caught her, cutie too

[Tigergenesis]

Well I feed her Monday night and after giving her time to digest she allowed me to handle her Thursday and today - no rattling. She even climbed into my hands. :)