Reptile expo expansion - Page 3

Kettennatter · 07-13-12, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StudentoReptile

I dunno...the crapping thing, I can pretty much attribute to almost any colubrid: western hogs, corns, kings, milks, garters, etc. Although in my experience, its mostly been with hatchlings or WC specimens. Subadult and adult kings that have been handled a little seem to grow out of it. But thats just me, I suppose.

I don't know about the "startled thing" but the strong feeding/aggression is really something I've only seen with CA kings. All the desert kings, speckled and easterns I've had were some of the calmest colubrids I've owned, although ironically, they get larger than the CA kings.

I got "my" king as a subadult. (My wife bought it, got scared, and it became mine my default.) None of my three corns crap on me. I guess it also has to do with the fact that king is very active. (It's a Yuma King, by the way.) Anything that will move into his enclosure will get struck, may it be hand, mouse, thermometer or cardboard box. Fortunately he tries to escape, so I simply grab him on his way out when I need to handle him.

I've handled the snake a lot, it was a whole lot of fun, simply because the snake was so active. At the stores the kings seemed rather active, also. I personally like that, but I'm not sure if everbody does.

I might try speckled and eastern, and see what they are like.

I

StudentoReptile · 07-13-12, 12:15 PM

Yeah, I personally like the eastern L. getula sp over the western subspecies...except maybe the Mexican black (who doesn't like a jet black snake?). They just seem to be more laidback, especially compared to CA kings.

Jlassiter · 07-13-12, 12:21 PM

Any getula (common kings) makes a great first snake......Very hardy and bulletproof.....
In my experience corns are harder to get feeding than any getula, but that is a problem for those of us that breed snakes not for those that just keep pet snakes.......

Mexican and Montane kings take a little finess & alot of experience to keep and breed and to get feeding....lol

The only BP I ever had went off feeding for months at a time......That was 17 years ago when there were no mainstream morphs.....I think I got mine for $12 and 3 years later it was a "black back"....LOL
I sold it for $100.......hahahahaha

Kettennatter · 07-13-12, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StudentoReptile

Yeah, I personally like the eastern L. getula sp over the western subspecies...except maybe the Mexican black (who doesn't like a jet black snake?). They just seem to be more laidback, especially compared to CA kings.

I have handled Mexican King Snakes before. They are gorgeous. Mine must have been lively one, but it was still rather young.

infernalis · 07-13-12, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StudentoReptile

One thing I just realized today...one reason ball pythons are so stinkin' popular is because PARENTS like ball pythons. Think about it: most parents cringe at the thought of their child having a pet snake, but can be persuaded by the motionless sphere of scales that only a baby ball python be. How many pet store clerks have used the line, "See? It just sits there..." LOL, can't say that about most other snakes, can ya?

This is exactly why Royal Pythons are not quite my cup of tea.

Give me a hyperactive, inquisitive and diurnal colubrid any day.

My black racer is a favourite... and I have only touched him with my hands 4 times in the 3 years that I have been caring for him.

I never have to check under his hide to see if he's still alive, he senses footsteps and will be pacing the cage looking for food.

Kettennatter · 07-14-12, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kettennatter

I got "my" king as a subadult. (My wife bought it, got scared, and it became mine my default.) None of my three corns crap on me. I guess it also has to do with the fact that king is very active. (It's a Yuma King, by the way.) Anything that will move into his enclosure will get struck, may it be hand, mouse, thermometer or cardboard box. Fortunately he tries to escape, so I simply grab him on his way out when I need to handle him.

The plot thickens: I found the original breeder. He kept the snake and hoped to find a female for it, but never did. The snake exhibited the same odd antics, but his wife made him give it up. After the Yuma King started swallowing her thumb, her disposition toward the snake changed.

I was wondering why I was able to pick up a subadult slightly uncommon king at a reasonable price.