Why is my kingsnake so restless?

Question

I've had him for about 9 months but he's developed a new habit. He eats well and the temperature and humidity are fine. He is almost constantly rubbing his nose against the glass and the bottom edges of his cage. His nose is turning grey (he's black) and I'm worried he's going to rub it raw.

I've put more stuff in the cage to try and interest him in something else but it didn't seem to make a difference. I've also tried two different bedding , neither of which seem to help.

Answer 1

do you handle the snake a lot...he may just want out.  is his tank large enough?  a 29 gallon long for the first 2 or 3 years and then a 40 gallon long for an adult.is his substrate deep enough (aspen bedding) that he can burrow.  kings dont really need humidity except for when they are shedding.  does the snake have mites...easy to tell on black snakes...the mite poo is white so if there are white spots on him it's mites if it's mites email me and i can tell you how to get rid of the mites its a safe way that wont hurt the snake in any way i have used this method in a collection of 24 snakes and it worked and didnt harm a one.  [e-mail]

good luck!!

Answer 2

Make sure he doesn't have mites. It'd be a ***** to have an itch you cant scratch. Even the cleanest snake enclosures can easily get mites, its actually a common problem. Theres a soaking solution for it. Easily treatable.

Answer 3

he is getting restless as he is horny and wanting to mate. all kingsnakes and milk snakes do this when they become sexually mature and will do it every year in breeding season as they can sense the outsoor weather conditions.

Answer 4

sometimes snakes rub there cage because they don't know the glass is really here (i know this sounds stupid but it is true!) put some stickers or something see able( not tape) on the edges of the glass, he/she will see stickers and know something is in between the and their freedom

Answer 5

i know you said you tried two different beddings i don't know what they were but i would suggest taking the snake out and washing the snake cage in a non-abrasive cleaner and letting it air dry. And try either shredded aspen which is a bedding the snake can ingest and not block its intestinal tract or try the fake turf it is green flat and easily rinsed off to clean

Answer 6

Kingsnakes like a lot of room, but with all snakes all he needs in his tank for sure is a big bowl of water and a place to hide.    How ever it is possible that there is something outside of his tank enticing him.  Perhaps another pet.  Like a warm blooded pet. Is that possible.  Good Luck