Kingsnake temperment

I was looking into getting a Cali. Kingsnake. I have read that they can be nippy. I wasn't sure if this was due to poor handling or if it was a natural thing for them. I remember a friend of mind hand a kingsnake when we were younger but I don't remember it being aggressive she held it all the time. Just wanted to get some opinions from people who actually own them not a generic site.

Thanks!

I don't own a kingsnake, but I do have a milksnake. She's very flighty and wiggly when held, but has never tried to bite or offered any body language suggesting she might.

I've handled a lot of different kingsnakes, and as mature individuals, they have almost always been very "chill". As babies or juvies, they are likely to be more inclined toward nippiness because they are so small and vulnerable. But even then, I've seen some baby kingsnakes that are not the least bit defensive when handled gently and confidently.

I would just suggest that if you want to get one...don't just buy one off the internet sight-unseen. Go to a local herp show where you can find many different individuals to choose from, and handle them and talk with their breeders until you find the one with a temperament and look that you're happy with. :)

Thanks Judy, I didnt want to order one online, I like to meet my snake before I buy it since I do this to keep them as pets not for breeding. I was thinking trying the pet store that I get my live feeders from because I think they breed their own and they take really good care of their animals. I just wasn't sure if thats what I should expect from all king snakes or if that was just a snake to snake thing based on their owners

Thanks again.

I just ordered a California King (desert banded) from BHB. Great little snake.

However, every king I have ever had went through a nippy stage at around a year or so old. And they like to chew. My Nelson Milk has never shown this, and she is 3 years old.

Not all will go through this stage, and most out grow it. Kings are beautiful snakes, with their smooth, shiny scales. And they eat like starving piranhas.

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Originally Posted by knox

However, every king I have ever had went through a nippy stage at around a year or so old. And they like to chew. .

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Does that mean until an year or after a year? Sorry I just have kids and I really do not want to risk them getting bit because I was ill prepared.

At about a year old they started. Now, it is more of a nuisance than anything because they certainly can't do any damage. And again, not all Kings will do this. I think I just got "lucky" with the 3 I have had in the past.

Don't let this turn you off from Kings, though. They can be fantastic pets. I just wanted to give you all sides of the story. A member of another forum I frequent has a King that bites him almost every time it is held, yet several others in his collection never have bitten.

This is the risk you take with ANY snake, be it Ball Python, Corn, or King.

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Originally Posted by knox

At about a year old they started. Now, it is more of a nuisance than anything because they certainly can't do any damage. And again, not all Kings will do this. I think I just got "lucky" with the 3 I have had in the past.

Don't let this turn you off from Kings, though. They can be fantastic pets. I just wanted to give you all sides of the story. A member of another forum I frequent has a King that bites him almost every time it is held, yet several others in his collection never have bitten.

This is the risk you take with ANY snake, be it Ball Python, Corn, or King.

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Oh I completely agree it is a risk you take. Luckily my two ball pythons are super sweet and chill. My Burmese was the same way! I just wanted to know what I was getting myself into before I went and got one

Well, I've only had a few thousand calkings over the years so take this as you will.

They are often feisty when young, hissing and musking and striking. It's pretty funny when you come to know just how harmless it all is.

I don't think I've ever had one that did not calm down. They do make some of the best pets, you just have to understand them.

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Originally Posted by wilomn

Well, I've only had a few thousand calkings over the years so take this as you will.

They are often feisty when young, hissing and musking and striking. It's pretty funny when you come to know just how harmless it all is.

I don't think I've ever had one that did not calm down. They do make some of the best pets, you just have to understand them.

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haha thanks. No I completely understand why they would act that way I'm sure I would be the same way if I were them. I just wanted to know what I was going to be getting myself into before I got there lol

Thanks again to everyone for the responses

My experience with Kings has them as nervous , musky, and somewhat nippy as juvies, but mellowing out as they get older. They are in my opinion one of the nicest snakes I've every owned once they grow somewhat. Of course reading the snake works wonders as well.

Thank you for your opinions and input. I really look forward to getting one as soon as I find one I am comfortable with! I've always been a fan of these snakes so no worries as to the nippiness it just comes with the territory lol

California kingsnakes are great snakes. I've had mine for over nine years, and she has always been docile with everyone - including children. I have heard that some Cal kings can be nippy as young snakes, but I believe that is more due to age than species. The only time I've been bitten was when I made the mistake of handling my kingsnake too soon after feeding her. Kingsnakes tend to be aggressive feeders and become somewhat single-minded when their attention is on food.

Good luck! :snake:

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Originally Posted by gecko_foot

California kingsnakes are great snakes. I've had mine for over nine years, and she has always been docile with everyone - including children. I have heard that some Cal kings can be nippy as young snakes, but I believe that is more due to age than species. The only time I've been bitten was when I made the mistake of handling my kingsnake too soon after feeding her. Kingsnakes tend to be aggressive feeders and become somewhat single-minded when their attention is on food.

Good luck! :snake:

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This is true. My baby Cal King will go open mouth through the air as soon as I enter the tub with the pinkie in my hemostat...

Thanks guys for your help. I just picked up a banded cali king last week, he is a feisty little fella but once you have him out for a minute of two he settles down. He has struck at my best friend twice now but not me or my boyfriend.

I had him home for a day and fed him because it was his scheduled feeding day from the store and he ate right away! I was so excited! Thanks for all of the information.

Awesome!

Indeed, ball pythons they're not. They are voracious feeders.

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Originally Posted by TheWinWizard

Indeed, ball pythons they're not. They are voracious feeders.

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haha is very true, i fed him again last night and I didn't even have to do a zombie mouse dance lol :)

My little girl is about a year old and amazing. She's active and loves to "explore" when she's out, but isn't hyper or flighty. She's very sensative to how I feel, and if I'm sad she'll be very calm and stay right beside me. She's even better than my dogs when I need some one to "just be there". She's quick to recoil when someone moves too suddenly, but she's never tried to bite or escape, just recoils. She was a little nervous when I first got her and can be a little nervous around new people, but after plenty of handling and talking to her calmly she's an absolute dream.

Because of her I've fallen in love with Cal Kings and would definately reccomend them. Good luck with yours! :)

My little boy is still pretty young, but he is just flighty and will not bite.

I am a new king owner, and I have 2 cali kings that are about 7 months old now. (I've had them for 6 months) Both are total sweethearts neither have ever hissed, struck, or even bumped anyone. They haven't even ever pooped or peed on me.
That doesn't mean they couldn't still go through a nippy phase, but so far so good. The adults I've met have all been nice too. I hope that helps a little.

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Originally Posted by lidjamay

Does that mean until an year or after a year? Sorry I just have kids and I really do not want to risk them getting bit because I was ill prepared.

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I would not let any young child hold any snake for fear that the snake will be harmed and the child may be bitten out of fear by both child and snake. Having said that, I have a juvenille 28" Cal King. He has never tagged me but has crapped on me LOTS. After owning him for a couple of months and either petting him in his tank or handling him, he decided that I was ok and now is gentle as a snake can be and seems to actually like being held. If you do the same, you will be fine.
I have shown snakes at schools in the past, and allowed the kids to stroke my specimens to demonstrate that they are neither slimy, aggressive or nasty.
I think that the operative thought here is be prepared, have your expectations in line and educate your children.
As a grade school boy in California, we caught gopher snakes and King snakes. I still save them from roadways etc. I have been bitten more times than I can count "saving" these beautiful creatures. Their little teeth will make you bleed a little but with almost no pain. If one of your kids gets tagged, it can be a great learning experience and doesn't have to lead to a phobia.
My boy Gobbles, is super nice and will let anyone handle him even though he is still a juvenille. However, I did the work handling him daily without fail until he figured out that Dana was a good guy after all.