Big Booty

I'm sure its normal... but, my girl gets the protruding butt, when I take her out... from musking, pooping, and all that other good stuff kingsnakes like to do. But, is this protruding TOO MUCH?
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...0_22_03_02.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...0_22_03_06.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...0_22_02_53.jpg

my MBK has never done that. that looks kinda concerning. is she like that constantly or only during handling? if she's like that all t he time, i would guess a mild prolapse. if only when she's out and being handled, i would guess a dry heave musking.

Only when I take her out. Or, better said as, only when she musks, which is almost all the time I take her out. Only recently she started calming down with the musk, as long as I maybe caress her a bit before taking her out, and then take her out slowly. Previously, I used to go in and just get her quickly, giving her no chance of fleeing.

But... if she musks, this happens. And, even if not, it'll come out a bit. Eventually it goes in. While handling, its always out... more if musking, less if not. When not handling, I can't see it at all.

I've never seen that with my Kings or any of my others for that matter

Defensive behavior - she's trying hard to musk and likely is empty by that point but still wants to spray you because she's scared and stressed. You may want to back off handling sessions for a while, or keep them very short and limited to rubbing her rather than picking her up until she gets less fearful.

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Originally Posted by bcr229

Defensive behavior - she's trying hard to musk and likely is empty by that point but still wants to spray you because she's scared and stressed. You may want to back off handling sessions for a while, or keep them very short and limited to rubbing her rather than picking her up until she gets less fearful.

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Very helpful reply. Thanks for the education.

Charles, how often are you handling now?

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Originally Posted by craigafrechette

Very helpful reply. Thanks for the education.

Charles, how often are you handling now?

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Well... because she always musks, initially I was just handling once or twice a week. And, I would go in fairly paced and just pick her up... otherwise she runs off quickly.

However... trying a different approach which might work a little better. I am opening up the enclosure, and I don't actually take her out. I just rub her a bit, slowly but firmly... almost like you would do with hook training. If I think she's calm and accepting, I slowly reach under her and pick her up slowly. She doesn't strike, just might take off quickly. So, last two times I did this, once she let me pick her up. She did not musk (well, maybe a small drop while still inside the enclosure, but really didn't), and no tail rattling, and I picked her up, and the pictures above were from that encounter. I think she was ready "just in case" but she didn't really musk. The second time I did the same, but when I went for the pick up, she slowly went the opposite direction. So, I let her go, and didn't pick her up.

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Originally Posted by Charles8088

However... trying a different approach which might work a little better. I am opening up the enclosure, and I don't actually take her out. I just rub her a bit, slowly but firmly... almost like you would do with hook training. If I think she's calm and accepting, I slowly reach under her and pick her up slowly. She doesn't strike, just might take off quickly. So, last two times I did this, once she let me pick her up. She did not musk (well, maybe a small drop while still inside the enclosure, but really didn't), and no tail rattling, and I picked her up, and the pictures above were from that encounter. I think she was ready "just in case" but she didn't really musk. The second time I did the same, but when I went for the pick up, she slowly went the opposite direction. So, I let her go, and didn't pick her up.

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This is the route I would take in the future. Also my milk snake musked a lot as a youngster and I found that handling him like you described above helped teach him that I wouldn't hurt him.

Charles, sounds like you've got a solid approach now, I'm guessing just patience is all you need now.

Good luck and keep working with her, seems like you're becoming a great snake keeper :gj:

Nothing to worry about. Looks normal for a musking snake. Sounds like your new approach will help keep you relatively musk-free in the future! Here’s hoping ;)