Bitting

Hillsberry · 12-22-09, 11:56 AM

I know I ask a lot of question. Sorry. But ever since my snake( California Kingsnake) bit me he seems to be angry. He has come after me 2 times. And I am not sure what to do. I just want him to be happy. Also he seems to sleep a lot. Should I only take him out if he is awake? Thanks

Smilts · 12-22-09, 12:43 PM

I would check your husbandry to make sure everything is correct there, first. Also since I dont know the situation having not followed it did he just eat? Is he near a shed?

Will0W783 · 12-22-09, 02:09 PM

Like Coy said, there are a lot of reasons why a previously non-aggressive snake might start to bite. It could be hungry, starting to go into shed (look for cloudy eyes and dulled pattern) in which case it can't see you well, or it could be startled. It is hard to tell whether snakes are awake or not being as they cannot close their eyes. Generally a good thing to do would be to smoothly open the cage and if the snake is under a hide, lift the hide off and wait a few seconds until it adjusts. Then approach the rear of the snake with your hand smoothly (don't hesitate, don't jerk away) and lift it up. You want it to know you are there, but you also don't want to come at it from the face, which can be seen as a threat.
If it does bite you, don't drop it and don't immediately put it away. You don't want it to catch onto the fact that biting gets it left alone. Kingsnakes can be little a$$holes IMO. Mine "tastes" me all the time. He's just always hungry and temperamental. Just relax and keep at it. Most snakes calm down once they get used to regular handling.

Hillsberry · 12-22-09, 07:07 PM

I think he is getting ready to shed. His eyes have deep blue rings around them.

Will0W783 · 12-23-09, 08:40 AM

Well that would explain it then. Most snakes get a bit feistier when they are in blue.

Hillsberry · 12-23-09, 04:46 PM

Do most snakes let go right way when the bite you? Because he holds on.

infernalis · 12-23-09, 06:35 PM

most of my snakes nip and release.

My very mellow corn snake tried to eat my finger once......

citysnakes · 12-23-09, 07:08 PM

i have known colubrids that i have worked with in the past to bite and hold on for a while. im assuming its generally characteristic of them to do that but i have only been bitten by young ones so cant speak for adults.

Hillsberry · 12-23-09, 10:18 PM

He is an adult yet I am going to guess 4 or 5 months. So is there anyway you can help stop the bitting oris this just want a snake ( Califorina KingSnake ) does?

Will0W783 · 12-24-09, 07:33 AM

A bite and hold on is a feeding response. A bite and quick release is a defensive bite. If your snake bit you and held on, it was most likely because he mistook your hand for food and is hungry. When was the last time he ate and what are you feeding him? Kingsnakes are little piggies when it comes to food. My adult kingsnake (about 2.5-3 feet long) eats a weanling rat (f/t) every other week. Any less than that and he is biting everything in sight.

Hillsberry · 12-24-09, 11:23 AM

I feed him on the 13th and he ate 12 "pinkies". He eats them like its his last meal. I will try to feed him today. But I think he is going to shed so he rejects them. I wil try today and tell you if he eats.

Hillsberry · 12-24-09, 11:54 AM

I just took him out and he is going to shed very soon. Both his eyes ae blue and his skin is very light so I will leave him today and check again tomorrow.

citysnakes · 12-24-09, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Will0W783

A bite and hold on is a feeding response.

not necessarily. a bite and a coil is a feeding response but like i said some colubrids that i have known would hold on with their bite and they werent hungry.

Will0W783 · 12-24-09, 08:15 PM

Quote:

I feed him on the 13th and he ate 12 "pinkies".

Well no wonder your snake is biting you- if he's large enough to eat TWELVE pinkies in one meal, he NEEDS larger prey. As soon as a snake can handle something larger than a pinky, move it up. Pinkies have little substance to them as their bone structure is not well developed yet. If your snake is eating 12 pinkies in a sitting, it should be able to take a full-grown mouse or a rat pup.
You should feed your snake a prey sized so that it takes no more than two to fill up the snake, preferably a single item will do. A properly sized prey item should leave a small swelling in the snake's sides. NOT a huge lump, just a small but noticeable one.

H

Smilts · 12-25-09, 12:07 AM

Whoa wait 12 pinkies?