California kingsnake capabilities

jossh27 · 03-27-15, 10:39 AM

Hi everyone, i have a cali king and she's completely timid and very nice hasn't ever bit and now that she's adjusted to her new home she doesn't even get sketchy when i reach in to handle her. I also have a 3 year-old son who's obsessed with her. I have my son on weekebds and periodically throughout the week. He loves holding her and in my opinion does a great job handling her. Generally he J ust let's her sit on his lap and slither around the couch.

Now, what I'm wondering is besides a very unexpected bite what could the snake physically do to my son? I'm not looking for parenting advise, or your personal feelings towards snakes and children... Just the realistic possibilities of a worst case scenario

Thanks

reptiledude987 · 03-27-15, 10:55 AM

My first snake was a grey banded king and I had the same question. the snake was never defensive or showed any signs of aggression. but still i was curious what would be the damage if it ever did bite. so when she was about 3 years old she went off feed thru the winter then when she was ready to eat again i scented my finger with a mouse and wiggled it in her viv. she did strike at it held it for a second at most and realized it wasnt what she thought it was and let go. there were 2 teeny tiny little drops of blood and no pain. so IMO thats as bad as it would be from a cali king.

Jim Smith · 03-27-15, 12:36 PM

About the worst thing a King snake could do to your son is either the unexpected bite in a sensitive spot like the nose or face or musk him. Snakes are also supposed to carry Salmonella in their feces so make sure that you wash his hands and face very well after handling your snake.

I started my kids handling WC snakes at that same age and never had any problems at all.

jossh27 · 03-27-15, 01:00 PM

is there ANY chance of it being able to have enught strength t possibly kill a child by constricting around the neck?

reptiledude987 · 03-27-15, 01:02 PM

not a chance

**EL Ziggy** · 03-27-15, 01:46 PM

As dude said, there's no way a king snake could strangle a 3 year old. My 5 year old son handles all of our snakes except the largest bull snake.

reptiledude987 · 03-27-15, 01:54 PM

Plus look at it from the snakes point of view. It knows theres no way your son would fit in his belly so even if it had the strength to choke him (which it dosent) it would take sooo much energy trying and would get no food out of all that expelled energy.

prairiepanda · 03-27-15, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reptiledude987

Plus look at it from the snakes point of view. It knows theres no way your son would fit in his belly so even if it had the strength to choke him (which it dosent) it would take sooo much energy trying and would get no food out of all that expelled energy.

A couple of my snakes constrict with nearly full strength if they feel like they're going to fall, so not all snakes can be trusted to only constrict in a feeding response. That said, if a snake is large enough to do damage by constricting the neck(which a kingsnake would not be), all you need to do is keep the snake away from anyone's neck and you're good to go!

D Grade · 03-28-15, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jossh27

is there ANY chance of it being able to have enught strength t possibly kill a child by constricting around the neck?

You should always keep snakes from coiling around the neck as a precaution, no matter the size. Across the shoulders is ok, but a well fed well exercised 4'-6' King is long enough to get a coil around a 3y/o's neck and put a good squeeze. Not that it would do that intentionally, but its better to be safe than sorry.

Not sure how old your King is, but mine was the same way when I first got him. Timid and docile at 17" and roughly 6-7 months of age. About a month after I got him, he went into his "moody teenager stage" and I took a couple defensive bites and a feeding response bite (not painful but bothered me). He's no longer aggressive towards me but still a lil snappy with my wife and daughter since I handle him the most. I suspect another month or two and some more growth will eliminate this issue all together.

jossh27 · 03-29-15, 10:51 AM

Its a couple years old and used to be my friends show snake for kids birthday parties and such

Albert Clark · 03-29-15, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jossh27

Its a couple years old and used to be my friends show snake for kids birthday parties and such

Kingsnakes in general are known to be biters. Juveniles and younger snakes are more frequently in biting mode. Different triggers are responsible at any given time but the end result is the same. A bite. Handling and doing things that don't startle the animal all help. Not handling during a shed cycle, after eating , or when hungry all help also. The bottom line is biting from our animals is part of keeping them and it should not come as a surprise when it happens. We can do the things to decrease the possibility but remember these are captive animals with wild instincts. Every time we reach into a enclosure to pick a snake up we are taking a risk of getting bitten. Stay in peace and not pieces.