My new king, Pretzel

Tango · 09-11-12, 06:14 AM

I adopted a new 3' king snake from a local animal shelter last week. LOVE this snake!!!

From what the guy at the shelter said, he had been neglected and living in a plastic shoe box size container. However he was kept, he is in really good shape.

Well, when I first went to the shelter to get him, they had him in a 15 gallon habitat that was pieced together with whatever they had available to them. For example, his hide was two small half logs and a ceramic water dish that were kind of stacked together to make a hide to accommodate his size. As I disassembled the contraption to have a look at him, I could see that look in his eyes. He was ready for a new visitor!

Despite the cage aggression, he is a GREAT snake. I distract him from the front and pick him up him from behind to get him out, and I haven't been bitten yet. Once he's out, he tries to crawl up my sleeves and is a real sweetie.

However, when someone walks past his cage, he flies out of his hide with his mouth open. Is this a behavior that will change over time now that he is in a proper habitat with regular feedings and frequent handlings? It's not something that bothers me, but it may be intimidating to certain friends.

Jlassiter · 09-11-12, 07:03 AM

What kind of "king" is it?

Tango · 09-11-12, 07:12 AM

California King:

Kettennatter · 09-11-12, 07:40 AM

Sounds like normal and healthy CA king behavior to me. Mine also rushes out of his hide, but he wants to feed. (It makes for easy 15 sec. feeding sessions.) It takes him about a minute to get out of feeding mode, otherwise.

A CA king can be oddly intimidating, not only because they are the larger kings, but they are often feisty and may move very quickly.

Just out of curiosity: Have you fed him yet?

Tango · 09-11-12, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kettennatter

Just out of curiosity: Have you fed him yet?

Yes. Over the weekend, I gave him a f/t adult mouse.

It's so good to know that they can be feisty and that he's normal. I read so much that said they are ideal for beginners because they hardly ever bite, and they are such calm and docile snakes. Not Pretzel!

He is so great to watch and interact with. What a fantastic addition to my home.

Thank you for comments, Kettennatter.

Kingsnakechris · 09-11-12, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tango

Yes. Over the weekend, I gave him a f/t adult mouse.

It's so good to know that they can be feisty and that he's normal. I read so much that said they are ideal for beginners because they hardly ever bite, and they are such calm and docile snakes. Not Pretzel!

He is so great to watch and interact with. What a fantastic addition to my home.

Thank you for comments, Kettennatter.

I have a pair of california kings, and from experience with other kings, they are NOT the friendly cuddly snake the Internet claims lol. My male Is HUGE and I've tried everything I could to tame him down but he still loves tasting my hand or any other part he can reach... My female is a "musk" machine. I've had ONE kingsnake that was ok attitude wise, but he was an old man and was held very very often... I'd say you new buddy is perfectly normal. Is he brown with yellowish bands or black n white? Hard to see the pic on the cell phone lol but my male is brown n yellow, NASTY ATTITUDE...

Tango · 09-11-12, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kingsnakechris

Is he brown with yellowish bands or black n white?

Brown and yellow.

Yeah, everyone at the shelter that interacted with him had been bit. I've been lucky so far, but I'm sure I'll get it eventually.

LOL - I dont know why I google things. Forums are a much better source of info. THANK YOU!

Kettennatter · 09-11-12, 08:13 AM

Don't worry about getting bitten. The last time I got bit by a new king snake it didn't hurt enough to stop handling him. Overall I got bit by kings maybe 3-4 times.

They are not "cuddly" in the sense that they are very calm. But they are playful, and I cannot count the times they made me laugh.

Give him some time to get used to you and establish handling and feeding patterns, and you may be just fine.

Jlassiter · 09-11-12, 08:48 AM

Yep..normal
Feed him when he's hungry and give him plenty of choices and he will be fine...

If you must handle him do so before feedings.

Kingsnakechris · 09-11-12, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kettennatter

Don't worry about getting bitten. The last time I got bit by a new king snake it didn't hurt enough to stop handling him. Overall I got bit by kings maybe 3-4 times.

They are not "cuddly" in the sense that they are very calm. But they are playful, and I cannot count the times they made me laugh.

Give him some time to get used to you and establish handling and feeding patterns, and you may be just fine.

DEF. Good advice, he just needs time, California kings are goof balls once they make themselves at home. And getting bit by them really doesn't hurt. It's more of a shock than anything else "Oh $h!t" I just got bit!!" after the first few times it's nothing, you'll actually start waiting for him to let go and finish biting you at HIS leisure LOL. Have you ever been musked on?

Tango · 09-11-12, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kingsnakechris

Have you ever been musked on?

Oh gosh, no. I dont even know what that is, but it sounds like something that I'd definately know if it happened!!!

*googles* Er, I mean... *searches forum*

Kingsnakechris · 09-11-12, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tango

Oh gosh, no. I dont even know what that is, but it sounds like something that I'd definately know if it happened!!!

*googles* Er, I mean... *searches forum*

Haha yes you would know! It's a defense tactic they deploy very often lol it's a very very nasty smell and it gets all over you! They "spray" you with it. in my experience it's mostly the females but thats just what I've seen, males do it as well but it takes a little more to get them nervous enough ( not like that's a bad thing LOL) but it's a very distinct stink.. They USUALLY grow out of it with frequent handling but my female gets "moody" sometimes and let's me know it LOL

Kettennatter · 09-11-12, 09:11 AM

I have two males, and I have yet to experience musking. When I had to clean a nasty enclosure while one was in shed I just saw tail rattling for the first time.

IHMO you are far more likely to get pooped on.

Tango · 09-11-12, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kingsnakechris

Haha yes you would know! It's a defense tactic they deploy very often lol it's a very very nasty smell and it gets all over you! They "spray" you with it. in my experience it's mostly the females but thats just what I've seen, males do it as well but it takes a little more to get them nervous enough ( not like that's a bad thing LOL) but it's a very distinct stink.. They USUALLY grow out of it with frequent handling but my female gets "moody" sometimes and let's me know it LOL

Yep, that's what I was thinking it was. LOL! I'll be prepared, and I'm actually thinking I'd prefer the bite!

Well, I dont know if mine is male or female. I dont ever intend to breed, so I dont care really. I get him out every day and so far, he's lunged at me through the glass, hissed and did the tail rattle. He has never struck at me, either.

The shelter told me the previous owner said he is eight-years-old. I dont know if that is true.

Kingsnakechris · 09-11-12, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kettennatter

I have two males, and I have yet to experience musking. When I had to clean a nasty enclosure while one was in shed I just saw tail rattling for the first time.

IHMO you are far more likely to get pooped on.

Every kingsnake I have ever owned rattled their tail. It's funny to see my male do it just because of his size, He's so big, his tail doesn't go that fast but he tries!! Lol