Cali King with sudden mean streak

[LacunaCobra]

Hey! I have a b/w banded cali king named Lenix. He has never been a "social" snake but he'd hang out with me and watch TV on occassion. But the past two months he's just been nasty! When I go to change his water, he sneaks out from under his rock and eyes up my fingers and *WHACK*!!! He nails me! And he's done it a few times! I had him sitting around my neck and I reached up to scratch his chin and he got me again! He even tried to strike at Coral, my other king who's in the tank next to him thru his tank! I don't understand why he's become so hostile with me! And Coral! He gets fed once a week so he shouldn't be hungry. Does anyone have any ideas as to what could bring on a sudden nasty streak?

[Lindze]

well for starters could you describe the set up?? the temps, have any hides?? how big is it? what and how often are you feeding?

some info to help us understand would be helpful

[Manitoban Herps]

Maybe you haven't been washing your harnds laltley, or he is ready to shed..I know a long shed..lol?

[LacunaCobra]

He's about 15 in. in a 10 gallon tank. Reptitherm UT heater, overhead UVB, 85-90 degrees, two hiding spots (one on each side), eats a f/hopper once a week, and is actually in the blue right now! heehee! He used to be really sweet... I don't know what happened :(
I have scented handsoap, so would that "piss him off" or is it possible that he smells the other snakes and turtles?

[Will]

Originally posted by LacunaCobra
I had him sitting around my neck and I reached up to scratch his chin and he got me again!

No wonder he bit you -- that end of the snake is the "business end"... ;) They can get pretty defensive about things around their faces...

Eye-ing up fingers is also normal, especially if they haven't eaten in a few days.

Sounds like a Cal being a Cal to me... :D

[LacunaCobra]

LOL!!! I guess you're right... but he used to be so sweet!

[loveispretend]

I love Cal-Kings, but even the best ones seem to PMS every now and again. My years of experience with them have led to these nuggets of wisdom :rolleyes::
I don't know why they do it.
I don't know why they stop doing it,
But I do know that if you don't let them scare you off, they typically snap out of it as suddenly as they started it. I don't think I've ever had a Cal King that didn't have a few weeks like this about once every year or so.

[LacunaCobra]

K... at least I'm not the only one :) He just shed last night so i'm gonna feed him and Coral later. Maybe that'll cheer him up!

[arampapik]

Should we not feed our snakes when they are about to shed?

[Manitoban Herps]

If they will take it it isn't a problem. but IMO, if it makes a large lump they "could" have a slight problem shedding.

[othinn]

No wonder he bit you -- that end of the snake is the "business end"... ;) They can get pretty defensive about things around their faces...

Eye-ing up fingers is also normal, especially if they haven't eaten in a few days.

Sounds like a Cal being a Cal to me... :D [/QUOTE]

My Cali King is about 29" and loves to sit and be stroked both on the top of the head, and chin. Often she'll poke at your hand if you stop. Strange behaviour for a King I thought.
Of course, when you're hand is going into the tank when shes hungry, it's a different story.

[LacunaCobra]

*lol* That's so funny! My other Cali's the same way! Her name's Coral... she's such a lap snake! She'll sit and watch animal planet with me and she loves having her chin "scratched" too! I have a funny story about her too... I was cleaning out her cage last year (when I was still a rookie keeper) and she climbed out and sat on the top edge of the tank. Well, I tilted my head towards her and said, "Watcha doing pretty girl?" And the next thing I know she was attached to my bottom lip! She hung on a good 5 minutes cuz I didn't want to break her teeth or hurt her, but I ended up sliding my thumb nail under her bottom jaw and she let go. I had a U-shaped bite mark for a week!