Taming a mean little bugger

[missi182]

So its been a week since I brought my little albino kingsnake home, and I had him out today for about 5 minutes - and boy was he mad at me. He sat ready to strike somewhat in my hands for a few minutes not really moving (I got musked a bit when I took him out) so I went to put him away and he threw me a few strikes.

My question is should I put him away once he gets cranky, or keep him out so he knows he can't get away with it? Feeding day is tomorrow so he won't be handled for a few days at least.

[ev477]

You should keep him out. I had some problems with my milk snake getting nippy about a week after I got her. I just held her for a few minutes after she bit me, after I learned how she prefered to be picked up (not near her head at all), she began to make it less of a challenge for me to get her out. Now I can lift up her hide and pull her out and set her on my hand before she even starts moving around.

Hope I helped

[wilomn]

Calkings seem predispositioned to be muskers when they are babies. 90% of them do it. They pretend to be ready to bite, some of them actually try, but their mouths are so small that it is fairly ineffective.

I've found that handling them until they are too tired to move and then letting them hang out with you works wonders.

They are little spitfires but once they figure out you're not going to eat them they are one of the best snakes for pets. One of their only drawbacks is the musk, bite, wipe the musk, strike attitude that is prevalent in most of them.

99% of them outgrow it quickly if you handle them regularly.

[missi182]

Thanks guys! My bp gave me lil attitude last week which surprised me so I left him alone, then I tried to pick him up a few days later and he was mildly spastic, so of course I told him "oh no you don't" and scooped him up out of his tank. I'm a tad bit nervous with the king so I am more likely to let him get away with his behavior - I have to be more stern with him haha.