cage agressive "reascue" king

sarahpede · 09-12-12, 09:44 PM

I reasantly brought home a rather cage agressive brooksis (spelling? sorry) king snake I got from a pet store who didnt handle it much because (s)he is quite agressive in cage and a little bit out... We dont much on her other then shes like 2+ she probably 3-3 1/2 feet im not sure if shes chunky or just well rounded... so anyways she was fed in cage untill going to the pet store where the fed her out and i have contiuned doing so however while they picked her up right from the cage I being a new snake owner am a bit more fearful and use a drum stick when ever i need to take her out or put her back...she has already caused us many a problem from day 1 but I do love Harper and I want to work with her so she more handleable and she can become friendly and "safe" like my two corns... Were planing on going back and buying there rat snake with is worse behavoir wise but we need to get funds to house and feed all these little monsters... I know she may never be perfect but i dont want to give up on her or the rat snake (when these guys are sold from the pet store there planing not to take more in thankfully) I also know kings and rats are more flighty and agressive but I fihured i would give it a shot.

Kingsnakechris · 09-12-12, 10:02 PM

Time and patience, I have had a few kings that just didn't want to be held at first but consistency and confidence will tame her down, I'm not sure about the rat snake but as far as kings go you just have to put up with her "musking" and nipping. Show her your not interested in hurting her and do short but frequent handling sessions and increase the handling time as she calms down.

Jlassiter · 09-12-12, 10:11 PM

I agree with Chris about patience, but how was buying a snake from a pet store a rescue?
Was it mistreated?
And it's a floridana not a brooksi since that subspecies is no longer valid taxonomically speaking.....

Also

Kingsnakechris · 09-12-12, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jlassiter

I agree with Chris about patience, but how was buying a snake from a pet store a rescue?
Was it mistreated?
And it's a floridana not a brooksi since that subspecies is no longer valid taxonomically speaking.....

Also

I think the "rescue" aspect is where the snake was before going to the pet store. I could be wrong tho.

Jlassiter · 09-13-12, 08:31 AM

Oh...thanks....

MoreliAddict · 09-13-12, 09:23 AM

Buy a snake hook.

Terranaut · 09-13-12, 09:48 AM

I read the op's post and thought "typical king". Some are like that. Mine is jumpy and high strung but calms down after a few min. He has bit and pooped on my son but not me

Something to consider with kings... in the wild they eat other snakes and mine will mistake a hand for food if it still smells like the last snake I held before him. This is how my son was bit and he has struck at my hand after handling my gopher. Took us a bit to figure it out. Now we wash our hands before pulling him out and he seems fine...most of the time. Still has a bit of king attitude though

sarahpede · 09-13-12, 07:38 PM

The pet store rescued her from not so nice owners but the pet store it's self wasnt taking very good care of her. im not really sure what musking is I think its some sorta of glad expresstion correct? also what should i look for in a good snake hook?

Snickers · 09-13-12, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sarahpede

im not really sure what musking is I think its some sorta of glad expresstion correct?

Musking is when the snake emits a foul smelling liquid from it's cloaca.

rmfsnakes32 · 09-13-12, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snickers

Musking is when the snake emits a foul smelling liquid from it's cloaca.

Trust me buy the smell of it you will know if you have been musked! I had a 10ft dum musk me a while back it took 2 washings to get the smell and stain off! I learned after that to pay attn to the snakes cues! Good luck keep us posted on how things go!

sarahpede · 09-14-12, 01:29 PM

ok well at least she dose not hate me that much

Kingsnakechris · 09-14-12, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sarahpede

ok well at least she dose not hate me that much

They don't have to hate you, lol just make sure if you have a burrower not to dig it up to quick, catching them off guard is a great way to learn about musking. As far as the snake hook goes, make sure it's smooth, (I like rubber coated hooks) and sturdy, with a king you don't need the strongest hooks they make but as long as it's smooth and won't hurt the snake you should be good.

Jlassiter · 09-14-12, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kingsnakechris

As far as the snake hook goes, make sure it's smooth, (I like rubber coated hooks) and sturdy, but as long as it's smooth and won't hurt the snake you should be good.

That kinda turned me on there a bit.......J/K.....LOL

sarahpede · 09-14-12, 05:26 PM

Shes not a digger I had her out a little bit ago a i did not getting and bluffing or atemps at bitingi she didnt seem really happy aboute the whole handling thing but she wasnt resiting to bad today she also did her first poop for me! not on me thankfully but when i got home there was huge poop surprise!

Kingsnakechris · 09-16-12, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jlassiter

That kinda turned me on there a bit.......J/K.....LOL

Haha sorry, I'll make sure my snake hook descriptions aren't so "spicy" next time HAHA jk jk gotta love a good sense of humor.

I'm very glad your new kingsnake is getting better with handling. It's a very cool feeling when you take a snake from frantically trying to kill everything to calm as can be chillen on your lap.