Pondering getting rid of my L.G. Cali

D Grade · 03-03-16, 02:29 PM

This is more of a vent than anything. Its been a while since I've posted in the Lamp. forum, but I've had some disturbing thoughts of getting rid of my Cali King lately to make room for a different snake that is more manageable.

My Cali King was my first snake so he's very special to me, however his attitude and feeding response makes him piss poor to deal with to say the least. I haven't taken a bite from any one of my other snakes, however I've taken several feeding response bites from this dude (not painful, not deadly by any means, but highly annoying). Dealing with and handling my rattlesnake is easier and less action than dealing with my King which to me is sad (but good never the less). I actually have to handle my King like a venomous snake by hooking him, which is good training for me and about all my King is really helpful with in regards. His husbandry is spot on, has always ate, and had always shed on time and in one piece.

My thoughts are possibly to make room for him for the MBK I've always wanted. Either that or my next rattlesnake, since I have to hook my King to prevent getting bit then I'd might as well use the hooks for something I really do need hooks for. But of course I have a bit of a heart and don't wanna let go of my first love nor let go of the snake I've had zero problems with in regards to husbandry, sheds, or feeds.

/rant

jpsteele80 · 03-03-16, 02:55 PM

People buy,trade and sell snakes all the time, its perfectly normal not to want to deal with the bad attitude, just make sure whoever get's him knows what there getting. I just reciently got rid of a super sunfire tiger retic that was a complete a$$. I just didn't want to deal with the crappy attitude and traded him. Perfectly normal my friend don't feel bad.

**Andy_G** · 03-03-16, 03:05 PM

Almost every cali king as well as most florida kings I have owned loved to try to eat fingers both when going to pick them up and in the midle of handling for no apparent reason...that's why I didn't work with them for too long. You should feel no shame about your thoughts.

sirtalis · 03-03-16, 03:08 PM

Yeah people do it all the time, I'm talking to a guy about trading my peacock monitor for his tegu (a little over a month now lol he can't make up his mind)

**EL Ziggy** · 03-03-16, 05:05 PM

I don't have any issues with re-homing, trading or selling a snake that you no longer enjoy. I am a bit surprised that your Cal King hasn't settled down though. I've heard that some kings can be a bit fiesty but neither my Cal King or MBK have ever attempted to bite me, even though the Cal King did musk me a few times when I first got him. Find him a good home where maybe he'll make a better pet to another keeper and get an animal you really want.

Albert Clark · 03-03-16, 05:05 PM

I know where you ae coming from with those sentiments D. A few years ago I was breeding Calif. kings but just got tired of the aggressive, nippy disposition that is inherent in them. I still keep L.pyrelomana in my collection bc they are just more handler friendly. I still like admiring L.getula from a distance but don't care to keep or breed them anymore.

Kokorobosoi · 03-03-16, 07:08 PM

One of my first ball pythons was a rescue from a sticky trap situation. The animal control jerk just pulled him off. Let's just say he required hooks and fencing gloves. He (somewhat rightfully) associated hands with pain. Either from officer jacka$$ from animal control or from the antibiotic injections I gave him.... He was very very defensive.

There is no harm or shame in trading an animal that gives you no joy. Do what makes you happy

RAD House · 03-03-16, 07:16 PM

Personally if I owned hots I would keep him around to remind me to keep on my toes. I think most hot owners wouldn't mind having a training snake around. I also am pretty sentimental when it comes to pets no matter how big a jerk. I not sure I could trade away any of my snakes as I would be worried about the situation they would land in.

Derek1 · 03-03-16, 08:52 PM

I've read a lot that Cal's can be nippy. My Cal (albino) female is my first snake. She 1.5yrs old. She's only bitten me once. I was doing enclosure mgnt and she was in her hide, my hand was in front of her hide and she came out and tagged my pinky finger. Other than that she has been a complete angel.

D Grade · 03-03-16, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EL Ziggy

I don't have any issues with re-homing, trading or selling a snake that you no longer enjoy. I am a bit surprised that your Cal King hasn't settled down though. I've heard that some kings can be a bit fiesty but neither my Cal King or MBK have ever attempted to bite me, even though the Cal King did musk me a few times when I first got him. Find him a good home where maybe he'll make a better pet to another keeper and get an animal you really want.

I agree Zig, but I am worried about where he goes. If I got rid of him, I would trade him in to my buddy's reptile shop. But where he goes after that, who knows?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Albert Clark

I know where you ae coming from with those sentiments D. A few years ago I was breeding Calif. kings but just got tired of the aggressive, nippy disposition that is inherent in them. I still keep L.pyrelomana in my collection bc they are just more handler friendly. I still like admiring L.getula from a distance but don't care to keep or breed them anymore.

I keep a Pyro as well and absolutely love him. Most curious, friendly, easy to handle snake I have. That's what I was planning my California King to be and it's been enough time for him to get past the moody teenager stage.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kokorobosoi

One of my first ball pythons was a rescue from a sticky trap situation. The animal control jerk just pulled him off. Let's just say he required hooks and fencing gloves. He (somewhat rightfully) associated hands with pain. Either from officer jacka$$ from animal control or from the antibiotic injections I gave him.... He was very very defensive.

There is no harm or shame in trading an animal that gives you no joy. Do what makes you happy

That's understandable under those circumstances. I think if my King was in that predicament, then I would be alot more understanding about the attitude.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MesoCorney

Personally if I owned hots I would keep him around to remind me to keep on my toes. I think most hot owners wouldn't mind having a training snake around. I also am pretty sentimental when it comes to pets no matter how big a jerk. I not sure I could trade away any of my snakes as I would be worried about the situation they would land in.

Very good point and that's why a small part of me likes the attitude. It's what I feel he is very helpful with. But then again since I keep a hot (and plan on more), the other part of me is saying why not make room for another snake that will actually require hooks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Derek1

I've read a lot that Cal's can be nippy. My Cal (albino) female is my first snake. She 1.5yrs old. She's only bitten me once. I was doing enclosure mgnt and she was in her hide, my hand was in front of her hide and she came out and tagged my pinky finger. Other than that she has been a complete angel.

Yeah I thought thats what I was doing wrong until he started coming up the side of the cage coming right after me as soon as I open the tank.

mysticmoon · 03-03-16, 11:07 PM

Hmm. Funny you say Cali Kings are nippy, I live in California and I've picked up and handled wild Cali Kings just to check them out, never been bit by them. Sorry you're having a problem with yours, I guess every snake is different. If you're not enjoying him then it might be a good idea to trade.
I also have a Sinaloan Milk Snake. He's a bit flighty but calms right down when being held.

**Minkness** · 03-04-16, 12:08 AM

I am going through the same thing. =(

My most recent addition never gets handled because he makes me too nervous. I haven't had him long but I don't like to be nervous around my animals. So I will be trading him tomorrow. I feel I should give him more time, but then I think about it, and I just can't right now. =(

**EL Ziggy** · 03-04-16, 08:59 AM

@ Mink- You're trading the Brooksi? Aww, and I really liked him.

**Minkness** · 03-04-16, 10:46 AM

No, not the brooks. The male IJ carpet =(

He goes to strike mode any time I open his tub and he got me once all ready which makes my anxiety worse. (I actually suffer from anxiety). So I just can't do anything with him, and since I want pets I can handle, he will be going to someone who is already familiar with carpet attitude. Pretty sure this will be his last home change, but never can tell with rwptiles unfortunately.

Persephone is doing VERY well though! She moves slower than the male (who never even got a name btw) and doesn't coil to strike and doesn't strike until she smells first. It's actually really awesome. She comes up slowly to my hand, tongue flicks, then comes intomy hand if I don't have food. If I have food. She comes up, tong flicks, then BAM! She still hits it hard, but she's alot more 'mindful' than the male. I may try another male in the future since I'm kind of like you...everything two by two lol. But I'll get a baby and not an unfamiliar adult. Also, I really want a super caramel jag, which is actually already in te IJ genes, so I can still have a pretty small beauty in the future. Not sure when in the future, but whatever lol.

I always feel bad about trading, but it's something I'm not going to torture myself with.

jpsteele80 · 03-04-16, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Minkness

No, not the brooks. The male IJ carpet =(

He goes to strike mode any time I open his tub and he got me once all ready which makes my anxiety worse. (I actually suffer from anxiety). So I just can't do anything with him, and since I want pets I can handle, he will be going to someone who is already familiar with carpet attitude. Pretty sure this will be his last home change, but never can tell with rwptiles unfortunately.

Persephone is doing VERY well though! She moves slower than the male (who never even got a name btw) and doesn't coil to strike and doesn't strike until she smells first. It's actually really awesome. She comes up slowly to my hand, tongue flicks, then comes intomy hand if I don't have food. If I have food. She comes up, tong flicks, then BAM! She still hits it hard, but she's alot more 'mindful' than the male. I may try another male in the future since I'm kind of like you...everything two by two lol. But I'll get a baby and not an unfamiliar adult. Also, I really want a super caramel jag, which is actually already in te IJ genes, so I can still have a pretty small beauty in the future. Not sure when in the future, but whatever lol.

I always feel bad about trading, but it's something I'm not going to torture myself with.

This sounds like the female rough scale i just got, she goes into strike mode soon as that cage opens, unfortunately i cant get rid of her and will have to take the bites and just work with her (the bites don't really bother me all that much), the male has calmed down and is turning out to be really good and handleable.