i caught a kingsnake and its acting like a rattlesnake?

Question

it is for sure a kingsnake, but it shakes its tail and bites. and leaves what appears to be venom behind

why does it do this?
is it a hybrid or something?
is it safe?

plz contact me at [e-mail] if u know anything

or reply to my question


thaNk u

Answer 1

Don't worry this is a very common behavior for snakes. Many species will do this including rat snakes, king snakes, racers, and any viper other than a rattlesnake. It's a defensive mechanism used because it both mimics a rattlesnake and draws attention to the tail. If a predator bites the tail, the snake stands more chance of escaping than if it bites the head. But the snake is just scared to death and is harmless. No rattle, no rattlesnake. Trust me if there was venom there'd be excruciating pain. It's just saliva. Snakes produce a lot of saliva that's designed to help soften prey as they swallow, and this could look like venom. Venom of all vipers (like rattlesnakes) is actually injected into the skin and would not be visual. A hybrid of a kingsnake and rattlesnake is impossible due to the huge differences in genetics of the two species and the fact that king snakes lay eggs while rattlesnakes give live birth.

Answer 2

Tail vibration is common to many snakes. In dry leaves, you ger a warning sound. I would not call them mimics, though, because those snakes (and probably that behavior) evolved before rattlesnakes did. The rattle was selected for because it allowed the snake to move out of the forest and still give the warning to other animals to stay clear.



It is no hybrid. Kingsnakes and rattlers aren't even in the same family. If the two met, the kingsnake would be more likely to eat the rattler than to mate with it.

Answer 3

Sounds like a fake out. It probably does not want to be messed with and is using a scare tactic to keep you away.



We used to have "fake cobras" where I lived. The snake was completely harmless but could slightly flare the skin of its upper body like a cobra and would do a weaving dance. Very freaky.



If you mess with it, it will likely bite you. If it is not being a nuisance and is not putting anyone or itself in the way of harm, I would leave it alone.

Answer 4

some snakes do this to act like a rattlesnake so people leave it alone i have seen black racers do this too

Answer 5

it is probably a rattle snake. First off you need to find out if rattle snakes are even in your area.