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DrewPickles
Snake Mite
United Kingdom
21 Posts |
 Posted - 18/07/2012 : 14:06:32
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Hey guys, I'm a first time snake owner, and after doing a fair amount of research, I just bought an Mexican Black King Snake. Since there are none available locally I decided to order her online. She's about 18 inches and was born in '11. When she arrived I got her out of the bag she came in and held her for a couple of minutes just to make sure she was in once piece.
At first she was fine and didn't seem to be too stressed, and had a little explore of me, but then after a couple of minutes she just calmly bit my arm.
I know that you're supposed to leave new snakes for a couple of weeks to get used to you and it's new surroundings, but I'm more worried about the fact that it didn't seem to be out of self defense or anything, she seemed to be happily exploring my arm then suddenly bit. I know i'm probably worrying over nothing and just need to let her settle, but i'd like your opinion on what the reasoning behind it could be. |
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deadmansfinger
Moderator
United Kingdom
597 Posts |
Posted - 18/07/2012 : 15:43:38
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Firstly great choice of snake. I have 2 MBKs myself  . Don't worry about her giving you a bite. She'll have been stressed with the journey etc and I am not surprised she gave you a nip. Kings are generally nippier (if that's a word) than corns etc which is a reason some people aren't as keen on them and they sometimes get a bit of a reputation. I would just leave her till monday to settle in then offer her a feed then assuming she takes it give her 48 hours to digest it then you can start handling her each day to get her used to you.
Let us know how you get on 
Once she's settled in and fed etc we need pics  |
1.0 Milksnake
3.3 Kingsnakes
1.1 Royal Python
1.2 Cornsnakes
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Edited by - deadmansfinger on 18/07/2012 15:45:26 |
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Auld Baldy
Hatchling
United Kingdom
153 Posts |
Posted - 18/07/2012 : 17:08:00
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Welcome aboard and glad to here the initiation went so quickly.
Once she's settled and got a bit more used to being handled then things should be a bit more amicable.
As already stated, pictures are mandatory. |
0.0.1 MBK : Fester
0.0.1 Florida King : Rattler (Rattle & Hum)
0.0.1 Californian King : Diablo Diego
1.0.0 Coastal Carpet Python : Vambo
0.0.1 Grey Rat Snake : Mirkey
0.0.3 Corn Snakes : Taggart, Woody & Blaze
0.2.0 Tarantulas : New River Red Rump. Red Chile Rose |
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DrewPickles
Snake Mite
United Kingdom
21 Posts |
Posted - 18/07/2012 : 18:47:12
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Thanks guys, I'm not scared of being bitten, as i've been bitten by snakes before in college and work experience, it was just the sort of casualness (if that's a word) that she did it, I'd have personally thought if it was due to stress she'd have done it straight away, as soon as I went to pick her up.
But yeah it's all good, I might leave her a bit later than monday before I start feeding her, so she can really settle in :)
And I might have taken a cheeky pic while I was health checking her. She's a real beauty, still has her markings (which you can't see in this pic) hopefully they'll go away in age, but i'm not fussed if they don't :')
And, just because I have one, here's the chunk she took out of me :)
http://i.imgur.com/hRRwR.jpg
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Edited by - DrewPickles on 18/07/2012 19:09:07 |
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deadmansfinger
Moderator
United Kingdom
597 Posts |
Posted - 18/07/2012 : 19:01:45
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| That's a decent bite for a snake that size. You can edit your post but clicking the edit button above it. My male MBK is jet black with no marking at all whereas you can see bands on my female if the lights hits her the right way. |
1.0 Milksnake
3.3 Kingsnakes
1.1 Royal Python
1.2 Cornsnakes
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Auld Baldy
Hatchling
United Kingdom
153 Posts |
Posted - 18/07/2012 : 19:09:32
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He-he! Big bite needs a big picture.
Click the small icon 'page with pencil' ....
Beaten to the reply. |
0.0.1 MBK : Fester
0.0.1 Florida King : Rattler (Rattle & Hum)
0.0.1 Californian King : Diablo Diego
1.0.0 Coastal Carpet Python : Vambo
0.0.1 Grey Rat Snake : Mirkey
0.0.3 Corn Snakes : Taggart, Woody & Blaze
0.2.0 Tarantulas : New River Red Rump. Red Chile Rose |
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DrewPickles
Snake Mite
United Kingdom
21 Posts |
Posted - 18/07/2012 : 19:12:20
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Cheers. It would have helped if I were logged on when I tried to find the edit button 
I don't mind about the bands, they look great, but i'd personally rather have just jet black, but I can tell she's going to be a beauty whatever happens :') I hope she calms down in the future, I don't mind getting bit but i'd much rather not be |
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deadmansfinger
Moderator
United Kingdom
597 Posts |
Posted - 18/07/2012 : 19:14:03
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| I believe MBKs are generally quite docile. Can't think of anyone on here who has one with a bad temprement. I am sure after a few days to settle in she'll be fine. |
1.0 Milksnake
3.3 Kingsnakes
1.1 Royal Python
1.2 Cornsnakes
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Auld Baldy
Hatchling
United Kingdom
153 Posts |
Posted - 18/07/2012 : 19:23:46
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Fester's just gone into blue with zombie eyes. Even so, he still managed to hit the mouse and is as docile as a kitten.  |
0.0.1 MBK : Fester
0.0.1 Florida King : Rattler (Rattle & Hum)
0.0.1 Californian King : Diablo Diego
1.0.0 Coastal Carpet Python : Vambo
0.0.1 Grey Rat Snake : Mirkey
0.0.3 Corn Snakes : Taggart, Woody & Blaze
0.2.0 Tarantulas : New River Red Rump. Red Chile Rose |
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DrewPickles
Snake Mite
United Kingdom
21 Posts |
Posted - 18/07/2012 : 19:39:36
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| Thanks. I've one more question; what's a good way of regulating the temperature in the cool end? It's fine at the moment, but just for future reference as nowhere i've looked really mentions it. |
Edited by - DrewPickles on 18/07/2012 19:44:56 |
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deadmansfinger
Moderator
United Kingdom
597 Posts |
Posted - 18/07/2012 : 19:54:09
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| Room temp is fine. Mine goes from 20-25 depending on how hot it is outside. Hot end I have at 31-33. |
1.0 Milksnake
3.3 Kingsnakes
1.1 Royal Python
1.2 Cornsnakes
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DrewPickles
Snake Mite
United Kingdom
21 Posts |
Posted - 18/07/2012 : 20:03:01
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I thought as much. Awesome, thanks a lot, you've helped alot I have a feeling you'll be hearing more from me in the not too distant future |
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deadmansfinger
Moderator
United Kingdom
597 Posts |
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Crash
Egg
United Kingdom
76 Posts |
Posted - 19/07/2012 : 21:20:03
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| just thort id say when i picked up my king abyss waz on my left hand and a cali on my right abyss has never even tryed to bite me to this day the cali thort i waz all u can eat and didnt stop and wouldnt let go lol gess witch i brought abyss get even better every day he love it when i stroke his head and his chin now |
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deadmansfinger
Moderator
United Kingdom
597 Posts |
Posted - 19/07/2012 : 21:24:18
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| Hi it's not a good idea to handle them both at the same time. Kingsnakes are cannibalistic and do not appreciate being so close to other snakes, it'll stress them out. |
1.0 Milksnake
3.3 Kingsnakes
1.1 Royal Python
1.2 Cornsnakes
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Crash
Egg
United Kingdom
76 Posts |
Posted - 19/07/2012 : 21:45:46
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| i didnt get a choice they were passed to me that way. There were 3 out goins a brooks and a cali ? gess the level of staff training. the others are still there i see them let a very very young boy hold a very yong snake 8" max |
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Topic |
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Bitten After 2 Minutes of Owning
