I may be shying away from kingsnakes - Maybe some of ya'll can keep me going?

StudentoReptile · 06-01-13, 07:07 AM

The behavior is not entirely exclusive to CA kings, but in my experience, they are the most prone to doing this than any other member of Lampropeltis getula....or arguably any other snake, for that matter! That said, I have kept a few very nice Callies.

This is my favorite species, but I will admit, mainly for their over-popularity and this behavior, CA kings are my least fav subspecies.

If you still want to hold on to kings, maybe try some of the other species. You got: eastern (chain) kings, eastern black kings, speckled kings, Florida kings, Appalachicola kings, Mexican black kings and desert kings. All are nearly identical in care to CA kings, although I will say the eastern species (easterns, FL, speckles and Applach.) get larger (over 5 ft), and may need a smidge more humidity than the western species.

If you still dig that vivid black/white coloration, there are several locale-specifics for both easterns and speckled, and some mutations of the Florida king that may be appealing.

bcr229 · 06-01-13, 09:49 AM

Our MBK has recently started to show the food-driven behavior described by the OP. As a result we've been hook training her. Basically, if she's getting handled for any reason other than feeding, the hook goes in first and we touch her gently with it to break her food response. Once she is out of her enclosure she's fine.

Also, we initially had been moving her to a separate feeding tub so that she could eat while we spot-cleaned her enclosure. This was a mistake on our part as she started to associate handling with eating. So, she is only fed inside of her enclosure now and we don't handle her at all on feeding days.

jarich · 06-01-13, 09:56 AM

Honestly it's one of the reasons I like mine so much. They are so active and inquisitive and fearless; makes the more tame species seem boring.

CK SandBoas · 06-01-13, 09:58 AM

My Grey Banded King has never once gone for my fingers or hand when i've handled him. He is very easy to handle, and to remove from his enclosure. He does have the typical King appetite and feeding response when i place his meals in his enclosure. Goes after the f/t mice with gusto, lol.

Mikoh4792 · 06-01-13, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bcr229

Our MBK has recently started to show the food-driven behavior described by the OP. As a result we've been hook training her. Basically, if she's getting handled for any reason other than feeding, the hook goes in first and we touch her gently with it to break her food response. Once she is out of her enclosure she's fine.

Also, we initially had been moving her to a separate feeding tub so that she could eat while we spot-cleaned her enclosure. This was a mistake on our part as she started to associate handling with eating. So, she is only fed inside of her enclosure now and we don't handle her at all on feeding days.

How old is she? Do you think a 2 year old kingsnake could just calm down like that?(not really calm down, but be less bitey)

bcr229 · 06-02-13, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikoh4792

How old is she? Do you think a 2 year old kingsnake could just calm down like that?(not really calm down, but be less bitey)

I'd guess she's 18 months old. I think she picked up the behavior because for a while the only reason we were picking her up was to feed her, and then she was placed in another plastic tub. So, we inadvertently taught her that handling = eating. Now we're conditioning her so that she is only fed in her enclosure, and if she's hooked and handled she's not fed.

Also it's not a defensive/scared response, it's definitely food driven. Each time she nailed me she grabbed and held. When she got my pinky she tried working her way around to the smaller end so she could start swallowing. The "velcro monster" let go quickly when I waved a cotton ball that had been soaked in white vinegar in front of her nose.

Mikoh4792 · 06-02-13, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bcr229

I'd guess she's 18 months old. I think she picked up the behavior because for a while the only reason we were picking her up was to feed her, and then she was placed in another plastic tub. So, we inadvertently taught her that handling = eating. Now we're conditioning her so that she is only fed in her enclosure, and if she's hooked and handled she's not fed.

Also it's not a defensive/scared response, it's definitely food driven. Each time she nailed me she grabbed and held. When she got my pinky she tried working her way around to the smaller end so she could start swallowing. The "velcro monster" let go quickly when I waved a cotton ball that had been soaked in white vinegar in front of her nose.

Exactly the same for me. My king never strikes at me. She only bites one she gets close to my hand and fingers. She stops for a second, opens her mouth, and latches on.

Mikoh4792 · 06-01-13, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StudentoReptile

The behavior is not entirely exclusive to CA kings, but in my experience, they are the most prone to doing this than any other member of Lampropeltis getula....or arguably any other snake, for that matter! That said, I have kept a few very nice Callies.

This is my favorite species, but I will admit, mainly for their over-popularity and this behavior, CA kings are my least fav subspecies.

If you still want to hold on to kings, maybe try some of the other species. You got: eastern (chain) kings, eastern black kings, speckled kings, Florida kings, Appalachicola kings, Mexican black kings and desert kings. All are nearly identical in care to CA kings, although I will say the eastern species (easterns, FL, speckles and Applach.) get larger (over 5 ft), and may need a smidge more humidity than the western species.

If you still dig that vivid black/white coloration, there are several locale-specifics for both easterns and speckled, and some mutations of the Florida king that may be appealing.

If I had enough room, I would get them all. Each subspecies is interesting in their own way. I think these kingsnakes I have been buying weren't handled very much since birth. Most likely just fed and had their cage cleaned until adulthood without any handling outside of that.