Shuddering kingsnake

[LacunaCobra]

My 3yr old cali king has been shuddering when I hold him. It feels like his muscles are quickly contracting and letting go. I know I've heard of this before but I can't put my finger on it. Can anyone help me out?

[tupinambis]

Sounds like a calcium metabolism conflict, or possibly a neurological disorder. Some lizards when in the early stages of nutritional hypocalcemia show symptoms of muscle tremors in their limbs. Snakes usually do not show this as they are eating whole prey and this usually provides them with balanced nutrients and sufficient calcium. However, snakes can still develop MBD if they have kidney problems, been getting fed lots of raw eggs, fed "old" frozen mice, etc.

[LacunaCobra]

I've seen other kings do it when they're around a female getting ready to mate. Could it possibly be that he's in season?

[gonesnakee]

The "trembling" as you put it could be very well as has been suggested above. Colubrids during breeding season get some weird shimmies & shakes going on, usually short jerky type movements. Hopefully this is what it is & not a neurological disorder. Does the snake basically do it only when being handled or all of the time? Mark