HELP PLEASE!!! I think my king has brain damage

[chairman]

Many years ago my mom had a male eastern chain kingsnake that could not catch live prey. This was back before the internet when "everyone" fed live and offering f/t or prekilled was considered cruel because it deprived snakes of "the hunt." Anyway, back then it was just an annoyance because I had to dangle his mice by their tails so he could grab them. But our understanding is that his issue was a result of a breeding accident in which he escaped with his life but not fully "there" anymore.

Any chance that your female had a breeding incident that deprived her of oxygen for a bit?

Or, as others have said, could just be an odd but normal behavior. Might recommend changing your feeding strategy, make her stalk the mouse a bit so her body is completely out of the way.

[trailblazer295]

Originally Posted by chairman

Many years ago my mom had a male eastern chain kingsnake that could not catch live prey. This was back before the internet when "everyone" fed live and offering f/t or prekilled was considered cruel because it deprived snakes of "the hunt." Anyway, back then it was just an annoyance because I had to dangle his mice by their tails so he could grab them. But our understanding is that his issue was a result of a breeding accident in which he escaped with his life but not fully "there" anymore.

Any chance that your female had a breeding incident that deprived her of oxygen for a bit?

Or, as others have said, could just be an odd but normal behavior. Might recommend changing your feeding strategy, make her stalk the mouse a bit so her body is completely out of the way.

I've only had her since February. Previous owner admitted to her not having heat for years. Even the "heat" when she eventually got it was a 25w halogen bulb hanging in the corner of her cage, no hides and a very dirty cage.

She was fed live at first and is now on FT. I dangle it on the tongs and usually she has no issue. She has missed a few times and lunges mouth open.