Need some adive please.

Belmont135 · 05-05-19, 08:09 PM

I bought my California Kingsnake about 1 year ago. My friend has a snake I had been around for a while and I spent over 2 months getting everything prepared and making sure everything was perfect before I bought my snake so this was not an impulse decision. When I first got him I was a little anxious to take him out even though I had not experienced this before and thought the feeling would go away after I had him for a while but it did not. I have to force myself to take him out and I am really only doing it for the well being of the animal not because I want to. I still try to take him out 2-3 times a week because he does seem to enjoy it but I do not. The other day I had him out and he was laying in my lap resting his head on my hand and then decided to open his mouth and bite me. He didn't strike he just kinda bit me, it wasn't a defensive bite because he constricted on me and would not let go. This exacerbated the feelings I described above and has made my feeling more negative towards him and more feeling like work to take care of him then just loving my pet. I change his water every/every other day, change his bedding every month and a half and his temps and humidity are always correct so I am not sure what caused this. When attempting to take him out again with gloves on he has strikes at the gloves. I feel guilty writing this because I took responsibility for him and I do take care of him well but I just have to force myself and am not enjoying it. I will never stop taking care of him properly while he is in my care so do not worry about that but I have been contemplating the feeling like I don't want him anymore as I have had him for a year and my feeling didn't change. I feel terrible writing this because I know there is an issue with people buying reptiles and then getting rid of them because they didn't understand what they were getting into but I did and the feeling only arose once I got my snake not with anyone else's. As I said I would feel guilty giving him away or selling him because I took responsibility for him, but I have had him for a year now and my feelings haven't changes and I'm not sure what to do about it. Would it be wrong to find him a more loving home? I always see a lot of hate towards that but I'm not sure what to do. Again I wanna stress that even though I have these feelings I have been taking him out and taking care of him in spite of my feels and I would never be able to mistreat an animal no matter how I felt about it. Just need some advice and wondering of anyone else has experienced something like this.

PanUzasny · 05-06-19, 08:05 PM

I wouldn't feel guilty about wanting to find the best home for your pet. I'm new to snakes myself, but I think the principal applies to all pets - it's not wrong to rehome a pet as long as the pet will go to a quality home. In my opinion, that is still taking responsibility for the animal. Best of luck.

ClockwerkBonnet · 05-07-19, 04:15 AM

I agree with Pan. Just don't release your pet outside.

Jim Smith · 05-07-19, 06:46 AM

Please understand that snakes are not mammals and they do not possess the same emotions as some mammals do. The fact that you change his water and care for him doesn't register as kindness that deserves appreciation. It registers as there is clean water, period. If you handle your snake a couple of times a week, it should become used to you and not get nervous or fearful to where it will feel the need to become defensive or bite. King snakes quite often have very strong feeding response which may have trigger the bite. If you do decide to rehome your snake, please check that the person is willing and able to care for it over a long period of time since these animals often live 20+ years. Best of luck.

craigafrechette · 05-07-19, 07:38 AM

Don't beat yourself up. Snake's aren't for everybody.

If you're not enjoying your pet it wouldn't be wrong in any way to rehome him. Just find a suitable home with a knowledgeable keeper.

That being said, snakes dont NEED human companionship. They don't "like" being handled, they "tolerate" it. They never seek out our companionship.

**EL Ziggy** · 05-07-19, 07:39 PM

I hope you find a loving home for the snake. I agree with Craig, they're not for everyone. Rehoming the animal seems like the best thing to do.

eminart · 05-08-19, 06:19 AM

Snakes aren't for everyone.

You should understand that your snake doesn't "enjoy" getting out. At best, it tolerates it, or is comfortable with it. More likely, it feels exposed and uncomfortable. I see many people getting snakes and treating them as though they are mammals (or even people). Assuming you have a proper set up, your snake will be perfectly happy never getting out. Obviously, you do have to get it out for cleaning and such, but the snake isn't longing to go on a walk.

But that isn't why your snake is biting you. King snakes are notorious for a strong feeding response. With some handling and/or hook training, he'll probably get better. But, he may not.

Honestly, it sounds like you'd be happier if you just found a good home for him.

**Aaron_S** · 05-13-19, 10:49 AM

Where are you located? It says Canada. PM me and I may be able to assist you in finding your pet a new home or assisting you in keeping it for the long haul.

Belmont135 · 05-14-19, 10:56 AM

Hey sorry I haven't replied in a while, I've been busy. I took him out shortly when I changed his water with gloves on and made sure no skin was exposed and he was definitely looking for something to chomp on. The reason I take him out it because he always crawls up to the top of the cage in an attempt to get out and whenever I open the cage he most of the times comes out of his cage by himself, he has just always been this way. For the first few months I thought my temps or humidity may be off but I am fairly sure they are all okay and they have been mostly consistent. I may take you up on that Aaron_s but I am going to wait a bit to see how I'm feeling about it in a week or two because I am still quite sad about it and don't wanna make a rushed decision. Thanks everyone for all the advice

craigafrechette · 05-16-19, 08:59 AM

If you have any questions we would be happy to help.

WolfMum13 · 05-18-19, 01:01 PM

Any update?

Best way to tell if your temps and humidity are good is the shed. Cali Kings are pretty hardy and forgiving with husbandry though. Definitely feeding response, they love to eat and mine would probably eat every day if he could.

That said if your afraid of getting bitten or jumpy/nervous the snake picks up on that. Gotta be confident! I don’t want to say getting bitten doesn’t hurt etc because it might not hurt me but hurt someone else. I will say that kingsnakes are more nippy when young but grow out of it with confident handling, trust me, I go in a pick up my adult who is large 5ft with no problem. The Musk though oh man...: