Snake question

[Gscottjr]

Hi all. I have a question about feeding my little Cali King snake. Actually a few questions maybe.

We have had the little guy about 2 months and have been feeding him a pinky once a week. I was wondering if he needs more than one. (question 1 lol)
I just read another post and they are feeding a variety of things. I kinda feel bad for my guy for just feeding once a week now Do king snakes eat the same things as garter snakes? Should I give him a variety instead of only pinkies?

Thanks for any advice

 

[Enn49]

The normal rule is to feed a food item large enough to leave a bump in the snakes belly, so you can just see it. Cali kings won't benefit by feeding anything other than rodents, they have all the nutrition most snakes need. You don't say how big he is but you can always offer him another pinkie straight after the first, wait until the first hits his belly then offer the second one or try him on a fuzzy, slightly larger than a pinkie.

 

[Gscottjr]

@Enn49 Thanks for the help. He is about 16" long. As big around as a AA battery maybe.

 

[Enn49]

@Gscottjr In that case he should be ready for a fuzzy or even a small mouse.

 

[Gscottjr]

Thanks Enn I will try a fuzzy and see how he does.

 

[Psyrocke]

I just saw this!

My Cali has been eating 1 xs pinkie a week at about 7" long, and the bulge doesn't last much.

It was suggested to me since he ate 5 days after the last feeding and pooped shortly after the first feeding (like the next day), to try 2 xs pinkies for this weeks which is what I am doing but based on length of yours I would agree with Enn based on the info and advice I have since my guy isn't big enough to swallow a fuzzie.

 

[Gscottjr]

@Psyrocke Thanks for the info. I am going to get a frozen fuzzy and small mouse just to see which he can ingest. I haven't ever noticed a bulge when he eats his pinkie so maybe he has been hungry all this time. Maybe that's why he bites me every time i stick my arm in the enclosure

 

[Psyrocke]

@Psyrocke Thanks for the info. I am going to get a frozen fuzzy and small mouse just to see which he can ingest. I haven't ever noticed a bulge when he eats his pinkie so maybe he has been hungry all this time. Maybe that's why he bites me every time i stick my arm in the enclosure

I only notice a bulge immediately post consumption which he does within 5 minutes of being given the pinkie. It is gone by the next day, followed by a poop later that night or the next day.

Since I fed him Saturday and then his next meal I gave to him Thursday cause he had pooped in such short times the Thursday pinkie was eaten within in five minutes, he was on it as soon as I closed the lid hence trying the two xs pinkies this time around.

Could be! He thinks you are a snack. Though he could just be super bold because mine would still rather pretend like he will than ball up...or mine is having an identity crisis!

 

[Gscottjr]

OK I have had to throw out a fuzzy and now a pinkie. He has stopped eating. I usually feed every Monday but he didn't come out to eat. (he always burrows in the substrate) So I tossed the fuzzy. Tried pinkies last night and again he didn't eat. I also noticed there were crazy ants in the enclosure again.
Do snakes stop eating before a shed? I haven't noticed any changes in appearance.

Does anyone know how to keep crazy ants out of an enclosure? I changed the substrate and cleaned the tank really good but didn't help.

 

[Enn49]

Yes, some snakes will refuse food just before a shed.

I use Ardap to kill insects in the snakes containers but do not use it near your Ts. Ardap will work its magic for up to 6 weeks and once it's dry is completely safe for snakes. You can also spray a piece of newspaper, leave it to dry in another room and put a piece a few inches square in the container.

 

[Psyrocke]

And, also, Kingsnakes are known for being finicky and deciding to fast. Especially in cooler temperatures.

A sign to check is if his eyes are cloudy, thats usually the most obvious and Enn has told me the scales could feel loose or rough prior to a shed.

Additionally, a few tricks I learned when I was trying to get Kable to eat is to open the mouses mouth, thaw and warm it (if feeding frozen, as I assume you are?) and then if there is a hide put it near to/slightly in the entrance way to the hide. Doing all three of those helped get my baby to eat when I first got him.

 

[Gscottjr]

@Enn49 @Psyrocke Thanks for the help. I can always count on good advice on here

I think it is a conspiracy at my house. Neither of my Ts or the snake will eat.

 

[Psyrocke]

You're welcome! Its feels good to be able TO BE helpful haha

 

[IamKrush]

Hi all. I have a question about feeding my little Cali King snake. Actually a few questions maybe.

We have had the little guy about 2 months and have been feeding him a pinky once a week. I was wondering if he needs more than one. (question 1 lol)
I just read another post and they are feeding a variety of things. I kinda feel bad for my guy for just feeding once a week now Do king snakes eat the same things as garter snakes? Should I give him a variety instead of only pinkies?

Thanks for any advice

Youvan feed pret items as large as the fattest part of the snake. Might want to try hooper mice maybe.

 

[IamKrush]

Hi all. I have a question about feeding my little Cali King snake. Actually a few questions maybe.

We have had the little guy about 2 months and have been feeding him a pinky once a week. I was wondering if he needs more than one. (question 1 lol)
I just read another post and they are feeding a variety of things. I kinda feel bad for my guy for just feeding once a week now Do king snakes eat the same things as garter snakes? Should I give him a variety instead of only pinkies?

Thanks for any advice

Feed a meal that is wide as the fattest part of the snake. I learn the hard way by my ball python biting me right away after feeding. Once i gave him bigger pray he stopped thinking i was food.