Snake has become increasingly aggressive for no apparent reason?

[RicardoCruz005]

It's about 6-8 months old I'd say, California Striped King Snake. Recently he went on a hunger strike for 3 weeks ( He just ate today, finally ) and during this strike he became really violent. Ever since I got him, he's been kind of a grouch. He's ALWAYS hated being picked up since I had him, but he never tried to bite me, or strike at me. Since his hunger strike he's been biting at everything, the air, the glass on his tank, my fingers, he rattles his tail constantly! I don't know what to do with him, if I take him out, it's going to have to be forced ( I'm really going to have to get ahold of him, because he thrashes so much ) and I don't want to stress the snake out. Is there any method I can try to calm him down any? Or is my snake just progressively turning into a jerk? Do personality changes just come on like this, or do you think he's just naturally that way? Is it possible for a snake to be born with a bad attitude? Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[medusacoils]

I know in your other post, you mentioned that this started when you moved his tank and your renovating. I am wondering if there is a link to the two. Especially if you have any banging and stuff going on, the new smells and etc. Snakes hear sounds through vibration and if you are renovating, this could be "scaring him" or bugging him, plus the change in location. I am wondering if all of the issues you are having are the result of a snake that is a bit perturbed right now.

I know, when I switched my Opal from his pip tank to his new viv, he turned into a little brat. He wasn't happy at all. It's like having that old comfy chair that you always sit in. Then the wife throws it away, one day while your at work. Wouldn't you be a bit grumpy? LOL!!

No offense ladies!!

 

[RicardoCruz005]

I know in your other post, you mentioned that this started when you moved his tank and your renovating. I am wondering if there is a link to the two. Especially if you have any banging and stuff going on, the new smells and etc. Snakes hear sounds through vibration and if you are renovating, this could be "scaring him" or bugging him, plus the change in location. I am wondering if all of the issues you are having are the result of a snake that is a bit perturbed right now.

I know, when I switched my Opal from his pip tank to his new viv, he turned into a little brat. He wasn't happy at all. It's like having that old comfy chair that you always sit in. Then the wife throws it away, one day while your at work. Wouldn't you be a bit grumpy? LOL!!

No offense ladies!!

We don't have any loud noises, new smells most definitely though. Thing is, we renovated the room he was staying in originally, so I'm afraid he'll never have his comfy chair back

 

[medusacoils]

We don't have any loud noises, new smells most definitely though. Thing is, we renovated the room he was staying in originally, so I'm afraid he'll never have his comfy chair back

May or may not be it. It could be a coincidence that the two occurred at the same time (the move and aggression)! More likely to be the culprit. Like I mentioned, it took my male opal a while to settle in. So I guess he is going to have to get used to his new chair!!

 

[Lennycorn]

Could it have to do with the corn and king being in the same room??

 

[RicardoCruz005]

Could it have to do with the corn and king being in the same room??

Highly unlikely to impossible I'd say. They were in the same room before, just on opposite ends. Now they're right next to each other, but a wall of shoeboxes block their view of each other. Even before I moved them closer together so they both could be next to the heat, the snake was showing aggression. I'm beginning to think he may just not be a very..friendly snake. He was never cuddly like my corn is, never enjoyed being handled, hated being picked up, etc etc.

 

[Lennycorn]

I was thinking smell. Do you handle the corn first?

 

[bekers71]

I was thinking smell. Do you handle the corn first?

That's what I was wondering. All of my kings are pretty good but I don't dare touch a corn then the kings. Unless I'm looking to get bit. If the king and corn are close maybe the king can smell the corn from the air around him. Making him a bit more aggravated. For the most part though, this king sounds like most kings and how they behave.

 

[RicardoCruz005]

That's what I was wondering. All of my kings are pretty good but I don't dare touch a corn then the kings. Unless I'm looking to get bit. If the king and corn are close maybe the king can smell the corn from the air around him. Making him a bit more aggravated. For the most part though, this king sounds like most kings and how they behave.

I sure hope not. I'd read they were a little more aggressive than corns, but not by much, and I assumed with enough handling he would tame as much as my corn is. I'll try moving them farther apart for a day or two and see how it goes next time I try to handle him.

 

[TandJ]

I sure hope not. I'd read they were a little more aggressive than corns, but not by much, and I assumed with enough handling he would tame as much as my corn is.

Humm Cali King a bit more agrresive than a corn.. My Cali's are far more agreesive the the corns... I keep my Cali's in the same rack as the corns, I don't think the scent of the corn make them nuttie.. I personally think its the nature of the beast.. Have you tried feeding it a little more often? Maybe it is more of a feed reaction ...

Regards.. Tim of T and J

 

[katieam]

i dont know if it's the same, but i know when my corn was around 7 months i was unknowingly feeding him too small of a prey item, and he too acted very grouchy. since then he has been getting the right size food and has been much better. you mentioned a feeding strike, so maybe he is just hungry? but like i said, i dont know since he is choosing not too eat. :/ good luck and just be patient, im sure he'll come around

 

[WiccanPrincesa]

I don't know a whole lot about Kings, which is why I have Corns. However, I'm sure the new environment is part of the reason. It could have something to do with maturity level (maybe he/she is sexually maturing). Maybe it's a food issue where he can smell the Corn you have and is hungry. Maybe it's just a king snake thing. I have a friend who had a king, and as a baby he was Ok, but when he got older, he got really mean and began biting everyone all the time. My friend ended up donating him to a reptile rescue. I think with Kings they really need a lot of handling time. And you HAVE to wash your hands prior to handling, because any kind of smell intrigues them and smells like food. Mexican Kings are more docile then Cali Kings, which is why I think Mexican Kings are more popular as pets. Milks are the same as Cali Kings, if handled a lot, and I mean A LOT, they can be OK snakes, but if they're not, they tend to get very aggressive. Maybe take him/her out a lot more, watch tv with him/her or something. Just keep him/her out of the cage as much as you can, but ALWAYS watch your snake. Don't let him/her roam freely. You'll end up with a missing snake. Maybe also up his/her feeding. It may just be that he/she is hungry.

 

[Chip]

WP< I disagree with many things you said, but here's a picture of an African tribal lady with an Ipod and an AK-47.

 

[WiccanPrincesa]

Elrojo, I'm not exactly sure why you're going around following my posts and criticizing everything I say. If you're just bored, find something else to do. This message board is for people to state their opinions and try to help where they can with other people's questions. If all you have to say is criticism, especially without good cause, then don't post anything. Why would you go around judging someone because of their experiences and opinions? If you're not an expert (and I don't just mean years of experience, many people here have that - I mean a degree in zoology or herpatology), then don't bash everything everyone else has to say. I studied zoology for a year, and plan on returning after I finish my business degree. I have many years of experience caring for corns, as well as multiple corns. And I have every right to state my opinions on what I've learned.

 

[Chip]

Sorry. I just thought that picture was about as helpful as equating milks and Cal kings. Mea culpa.

 

[WiccanPrincesa]

As I stated in my prior post, I don't know a whole lot about Kings. Which is why I commented on what I did know about them from MY experiences. This doesn't mean it's correct for ALL kings, or ALL corns. It's my opinions based on my experiences. If you've had a different experience, I'm sure everyone would love to hear about it, but bashing people simply because you don't agree with something is completely uncalled for.

 

[ArpeggioAngel]

Kings, corns, milks...it doesn't really matter what species. Each snake can have its own unique personality. I have corns that are very aggressive and have had milks that were puppy dog tame.

In general, I do find that cali kings do seem to have a bit more attitude than other king species, but I have seen exceptions to that as well. I know Nanci has a cali king that is a sweetheart of a snake.

Like Tim - we also have corns and kings housed in the same rack and it doesn't seem to make any difference in their personalities if they are housed there or elsewhere - they are still a PITA either way.

Handling can sometimes make a difference, but not always. Some snakes are just aggressive by nature and no amount of handling may tame them down. Of course, more handling could be just the answer as well. The only way to know is to keep trying and see if it makes a difference.