Stop making a fuss, just eat the damn rodent.

[CoolioTiffany]

My Mexican Black Kingsnake has been giving me such a hassle for every feeding time. I don't even know what's wrong. He has all the appropriate temperatures, he basks, he can dig underneath the substrate, he has a large water dish he can fit into, he's fed well, and he's been fed the same thing for a while now. He eats the rodent, after I piss him off. When I try to offer it, he sniffs it with his black tongue, and then he backs away. When I put it closer he freaks out and slitehrs all around the cage, and uses his body to block the rodent from getting to his head. He'll even smash the rodent against the glass and stay there so I won't put it in his face (he's so smart). He'll hiss too, very loudly, and then once he's had enough he'll start striking. And once he strikes and bites the rodent, he'll wrap around it and finally take it. I don't know why he does this, he's never done this before. He's been doing this for abour 3-4 feedings now. He's been eating a small rat every 7 days. Last week he didn't eat since he was in shed--I don't feed my snakes when they do. So, I'm not sure what his deal is.

[RichsBallPythons]

Whats his temps and humidity.

How big/old is he and picture of setup would help

Something in the cage is causing this as colubrids are pigs especially MBK

[CoolioTiffany]

Whats his temps and humidity.

How big/old is he and picture of setup would help

Something in the cage is causing this as colubrids are pigs especially MBK

Oh yeah, he's a total pig. Or was a total pig. I'm at my dad's so I can't provide any photos for now. He's a bit over 4 ft long, the temps stay around 90F (or lower), and the humidity is probably 30% or less. It's always been this way, and I've never had a problem. I'm kind of guessing it's the cool whether since it gets kind of cool at night, but I'm not too sure. He has always had one hide as well, and he's always eaten for me ever since I got him, so the hide isn't the issue. The water dish has never changed, nor the temps & humidity. He has great sheds as well. I just don't see why he's acting like this. I'm glad he still takes the rodents though, and defecates normally and it looks normal.

[RichsBallPythons]

I would how ever drop your temps to a max of 85. 90 is pushing it and can cause problems. Most keep colubrids at around 82-85 warm side and about 75 cool side. If you have a room in the 80s you can give them that with no warm side and let them have room temp.

I currently give my corns room temp and no heat as its 82 in here all year.

Humidity i try to keep around 40-50%

[CoolioTiffany]

I would how ever drop your temps to a max of 85. 90 is pushing it and can cause problems. Most keep colubrids at around 82-85 warm side and about 75 cool side. If you have a room in the 80s you can give them that with no warm side and let them have room temp.

I currently give my corns room temp and no heat as its 82 in here all year.

Humidity i try to keep around 40-50%

Well since it's cool out I tend to keep the heat lamp on, but in the Summer I would not likely need it. I'm just frightened because of the RI he had, so that's why I keep the temps in the high 80s to 90F. Once the temps start rising outside I will stop using the heat lamp and adjust his enclosure to where it needs to be. My house gets pretty warm in the Summer, most likely from the low to mid 80s.

[RichsBallPythons]

Well since it's cool out I tend to keep the heat lamp on, but in the Summer I would not likely need it. I'm just frightened because of the RI he had, so that's why I keep the temps in the high 80s to 90F. Once the temps start rising outside I will stop using the heat lamp and adjust his enclosure to where it needs to be. My house gets pretty warm in the Summer, most likely from the low to mid 80s.

Anything above 85 is going to overheat him and can cause neurological problems from too much heat. They do best at a 82-85 warm side and a room temp cool side. First drop the temps and let him settle in on the new temps and see how his appetite goes from there.

[CoolioTiffany]

Anything above 85 is going to overheat him and can cause neurological problems from too much heat. They do best at a 82-85 warm side and a room temp cool side. First drop the temps and let him settle in on the new temps and see how his appetite goes from there.

Okay sounds good, I'll try that.

[iCandiBallPythons]

My Mexican Black Kingsnake has been giving me such a hassle for every feeding time. I don't even know what's wrong. He has all the appropriate temperatures, he basks, he can dig underneath the substrate, he has a large water dish he can fit into, he's fed well, and he's been fed the same thing for a while now. He eats the rodent, after I piss him off. When I try to offer it, he sniffs it with his black tongue, and then he backs away. When I put it closer he freaks out and slitehrs all around the cage, and uses his body to block the rodent from getting to his head. He'll even smash the rodent against the glass and stay there so I won't put it in his face (he's so smart). He'll hiss too, very loudly, and then once he's had enough he'll start striking. And once he strikes and bites the rodent, he'll wrap around it and finally take it. I don't know why he does this, he's never done this before. He's been doing this for abour 3-4 feedings now. He's been eating a small rat every 7 days. Last week he didn't eat since he was in shed--I don't feed my snakes when they do. So, I'm not sure what his deal is.

Put some hot sauce on it!

[CoolioTiffany]

Put some hot sauce on it!

That'll do the trick