Kingsnake help

So my snake has this out her butt, from what I looked up it is a prolapse but we soaked her in sugar water and it seems to be gone. I haven’t really noticed it other than when I pick her up and she pees on me. Is it a prolapse or is it something else? She’s just a baby, not sure how old but she’s 18 inches, I wanna guess maybe 6 months old…? Anyone know anything about stuff like this?

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Is the vent everted like this all the time? Or only when “she” pees/musks on you?

They do evert their vent mildly when they musk to really spread the scent and discourage anything they see as a threat through the bad odor.

If this is a thing thats always everted like that no matter the situation then it may be a mild cloaca prolapse.

I will also add that I do not believe this snake is a female


These little red fleshy dots are hemipenes that are not fully everted, only males possess hemipenes, along with the fact that the tail is thick with no sudden taper.

The only thing I can reccomend if this is a prolapse that does not resolve with sugar baths is to take this little one to a veterinarian.

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Looks more like a scared or frustrated baby who just musked on you to me.

If this is something there all the time and not just when they tail rattle or musk then yeah, that is more of a concern. As sid above, vet is recommended if this worsens.

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I guess I’m a weenie but that looks downright painful to me. I’m not trying to be critical or rude at all because I’m sure it’s a natural part of the musking process but truly as others already said, if this is an ongoing protrusion I would definitely seek medical attention for this “boy”.

Good luck!

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Knowing how often mine did this for the smallest reasons as babies/juvies and sometimes as adults I would think its not painful, I certainly hope it isn’t.

Colubrids do have that tendancy…

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Novice advice-
That just looks like an angry or stressed noodle, if it’s out all the time I would consult a vet! As said above, it’s probably a boy haha
I used to have a hoggie who did the same thing, as long as it goes back in it’s not a problem

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Agreeing with advice already given. You don’t say how long you’ve had the snake, nor how much he’s being handled but it sounds like it might be somewhat new to you. Even if it isn’t, this seems like a somewhat stressed baby. They do need to learn that you aren’t going to hurt them, and immediately responding to the first stress reaction by putting them back in their home isn’t the thing to do. That said, you also don’t want to stress them too much. Things like soaks (though necessary at times) and lots of handling perpetuate stress.

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I am not quite sure, it’s hard to tell with her bedding she had but for the whole time I’d hold her it would be like that, but from what I could see I don’t think it’s like that all the time. Is there a way you might know of on how to check without making her/him stressed out and sticking it back out again?

I got her/him from a reptile expo and it had a female mark on the label so that’s why I thought it was a female.

Do you know of any way to make her not stressed when trying to take her out of her enclosure? I try to take her out twice a week but it’s the same tail rattle, striking, peeing, and little hiss thing every time, and I’ve never had a snake act like this before.

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How did you get them to stop?

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Lots of confident handling, but some snakes never stop. It really depends on the animal!

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Unfortunately there’s no real quick way to prevent them or stop them from being stressed while handling.

You have to just stick to a regular handling schedule to allow them to get used to you. Until then just expect some stress and musking during handling, and don’t put them up just because they seem stressed, it will only reinforce that they need to be stressed during handling.

If you’re referring to sexing the snake you have a few options. Though I can guarantee you with a 95% certainty that your Kingsnake is a male, those were hemipenes that I outlined in the photo.

You can get your snake shed tested through Rare Genetics Inc. for I think ~$20usd. This test is 100% accurate.

You can go to a Reptile specialized Veterinarian to have them probe sexed.

Or you can find a reliable and experienced breeder for the snake to be probe sexed.

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Genuinely just gotta keep consistant with short handling sessions. My Cali kings were both pretty flighty and musky when I got them, both now do wonderful with being taken out of their setups and messed with. Though every once in a while my boy will decide mid-handling just to musk me out of spite :joy:

Try to keep handling sessions ~15 minutes, 3 to 4 times a week as long as they’re still readily eating on feeding day - if they start refusing don’t handle until they start eating again. End it on a good note if you can, once they stop freaking out and realize the big warm giant isn’t going to eat them lol. These things take time, and in very rare occassions some animals don’t ever fully accept handling, but I’m sure your little one will chill with consisency and patience! :yum:

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I’ll also add that Kingsnakes of all types are very commonly like this, especially as babies and juveniles.

As well as being extremely food motivated and trying to eat literally everything that moves.

I have had most of my adult FlKings chill out massively with age and frequent handling. I only have one thats still iffy about things.

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Sorry for not clarifying better, do you know of a way to check his/her tail to see if it’s a prolapse without making her stressed and sticking it out herself if it were to just be her trying to musk me?

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Easiest way would be to sit her in a container with a clear bottom and see if it retracts back in or continuously remains out. They put the goods away once they’re done making you aware of how much they’re upset with the situation. :joy:

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Yep, pretty much what I was just about to say :slight_smile:

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