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advice please (asap)

C

creeping death

thank god im not a pinkie
i know this is a corn snake site but i need good advice not some fact sheet!
i have just got a kingsnake, he is about 3 foot long and in good health.
however he was brought for a spoilt little **** who thought it was great owning snake for five minuites and then got bored.
the kids mum has been feeding it but has not touched it (for about one and a half years) till i came along.
now i left him for two weeks too settle in and tried to get him out but strikes at me if i manage to hold on long enough to get him out he flicks **** around with his tail and lunges at anything in range.
i dont want to give this snake up but if he dont settle down my girlfriend is not going to let me keep him in case he gets ,or the kids let him out.
is there any way to calm him down or do old habits die hard in snakes too???? HELP
 
Hi creeping death

All that i can suggest is more handling...I know that will probably seem a bit stupid,but the more you handle the snake the sooner it will get used to you.

When picking it up,try not to take it from above,but rather from the side.Imagine something huge coming down at you from above...so it will feel threatened.

I suggest holding it firmly for 5minutes today,then try for 10 minutes tomorrow and 15 the next day etc etc ..
basically just hold it a little longer each time,untill it becomes reassured that you wont hurt it...
Its should calm down fom being handled..
 
agreed! It needs some tlc. I know it is frustrating but he is going to bite and musk until he gets used to being held and the only way that is going to happen is through repetition. Make it a routine that you hold on to strike-pooper every day for longer and longer times.

It can be done.
 
I can't explain it, but my defensive snakes that strike (not counting hatchlings) have responded well to yellow dishwashing glove therapy. They actually seem less defensive toward the glove than my hand. I can't figure it out, but their behavior is always much improved after a few glove sessions. :shrugs:
 
If it's any help, my Deckert's rat snake flinches away from and strikes at bare hands, but is getting really calm if I wear cloth gardening gloves :shrugs: I've tried slipping a glove off but he still reacts badly to ungloved hands
 
I agree with what already has been said, just keep handling it. It will likely settle down with time and patience. My first king was a 3 foot long wild caught speckled king (they are known for being feisty) and he tamed down just fine. In fact, he was more gentle than my captive bred California King.
 
Gloves can work quite well to mask odor and body temperature that signal a predator to a snake that has not been handled much. With brief handlings sessions (hold just until he is calm, then put back in cage) most kings will become calm after a few sessions. It is also helpful to make sure he is well fed now - often the larger kingsnake species are active because they are hungry, so feeding well (but give him 3 days to digest) during the time you are getting him used to being handled can be a help.


mary v.
 
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