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is my MBK just a jerk, or what?

LawDog1

LawDog1

New member
Hello all, hope someone has good news for me. I have 4 corns, 1 alb milksnake and 1 Mexican black kingsnake. All are calm most of the time and very tolerant of handling except the MBK. If I go into his cage slowly and give him time to think about me taking him out he S's up and puts on a big show like he's going to eat me, tail rattling and all. When I pick him up he throws himself about and slings poop everywhere! After a minute or so he usually calms down, but I'm tired of going through this. He's over a year old I think. I've heard kings do that when they are young but usually quit. Well, he isn't quitting. He's beautiful, but I have to be very careful where I handle him. I don't want that crap on my carpet and he slings it everywhere. I have made a point of handling him every day for weeks, except 48 hours around feeding, and his behavior hasn't changed. Is he just a jerk and always will be, or is there hope? Help? Any advice is appreciated. Thanks.
 
Well the two I had were the same way. The californian king snake I had before was like that. But I actually got her calmed down.

I would say you just have to be patient. It's gonna take awhile. When you go to get him don't rush it, but don't be hesitant either.. Try to scoop him up. It seems snakes tend to like that gesture a little more.

Handling him every day could be stressing him out as well. Maybe try every other day for 5 to 10 min at a time. The "poop" he flings is actually called musking. All King snakes and Milk snakes do it as a defense mechanism and it smells rank.. Lol, but just work with him slowly. He should come around. MBK's tend to be more aggressive and jittery than other king snakes so it might take longer.
 
Mine never stress, unless I have not washed my hands before handling them. If I smell like another snake, dog, cheeseburger...they go nuts.
 
well a year old is still young in my book. How many grams is he?

I personally wouldnt worry. Give it time, they tend to settle down more when they are about 75-100 grams plus.
 
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