Ok to feed?

[EL Ziggy]

Hi everyone,

I got my new MBK 'Sasha Fierce' last Friday. She's exactly 9 weeks old today. The breeder told me she ate last Wednesday and was being fed one pinky once a week. Is this adequate? My Cal King Caesar eats 1-2 fuzzies every 5-7 days and today is his feed day. Would it be ok to offer her a pinkie today? I'd like to get them on the same feeding schedule. She shed on Saturday and seems to be doing pretty well in her new tank even though she's still a bit shy. Also should I keep her on paper towels for at least a month before I switch to aspen bedding? So far I haven't seen any evidence of mites and her poop and urine look normal. Any thoughts? Thanks a bunch.

[formica]

if she doesnt want it, she wont eat it :)

i'd get her thru her first meal and dump before changing the bedding personally; but someone with more experience with this species may have better advice to offer...

[Concept9]

I would have no problem and I do feed new Kingsnakes 48 hours after purchasing them, provided there enclosure was setup properly and tested.

The reason for the white paper towel is for easy visual inspection. IF the new animal has mites/eggs its easy to see them as little black spots on the paper towel and start proper treatment.

You can start a proper full setup with a new animal (not recommended), but remember. It will be harder to detect the mites/eggs and if the snake has them, you will have to do a full tare down, clean and re-quarantine.

[EL Ziggy]

How long before you would see mites MBK? I haven't any noticed little black spots on the snake, in the cage or in the water. Is there anything else I should be on the lookout for that the paper towels would make more visible?

[Concept9]

Here is a link that will explain every thing.

Reptile Mites - Karingal Vet Hospital (http://www.karingalvet.com.au/Pet-Care/Reptiles-and-Amphibians/Reptile-Mites.asp)

[EL Ziggy]

Thanks again. No signs of anything abnormal yet but I'll keep my eyes open.

[Amadeus]

Paper towel is really easy if you don't care how it looks.

I keep my garter on it because it poops frequently.

[EL Ziggy]

I do prefer the aspen bedding but will give her a few weeks on paper towel just to be sure she has no health issues even though I would think they would be obvious sooner. Better safe than sorry.

[Ourobouros]

My baby MBK is younger than yours and I feed it 3 small pinkies every 4 days. Or 2 normal pinkies every 4 days.

[EL Ziggy]

I thought one pinkie once a week wasn't quite enough. I'll see if she takes the first one and if so I'll offer another. Then I'll feed her every 5 days like I do with my other king. I know some people say it's best to feed them outside their tank to avoid cage aggression, and others say feeding in their tanks isn't a problem. Is this just a matter of personal preference? I usually feed Caesar (Cal King) in a small plastic container inside his tank and will probably do the same with Sasha Fierce (MBK).

[bcr229]

I feed mine in the tank so they know when they're pulled out of it they're not getting fed.

[Ourobouros]

There's more than one way to do it.

Feed in another container...
Hook train while feeding in the tank

I prefer another container because it's safer IMO
Even with a food dish in the tank there's still a risk of the snake ingesting the bedding.
The snake is more than capable of dragging the food out of the dish into the bedding.
You don't have to worry about bedding being ingested now while using paper towels but if you want to start a routine now is the best time.

[Mark Taylor]

http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/food-thought-forum/98858-feeding-poll.html

:)

[Terranaut]

My baby MBK is younger than yours and I feed it 3 small pinkies every 4 days. Or 2 normal pinkies every 4 days.

Do not copy this. Horrible advice. You do not feed every 4 days you feed weekly and 2-3 pinks should be replaced with a fuzzy or a hopper. Stay within 1.5 times the girth of your snake. The more mature the prey the higher amounts of calcium and keratin both needed for bone and skin developement in your new snake.


Kings are typically easy eaters so just offer the prey once a week and if refused wait until next week and try again. Missing a week for your snake is like you missing lunch. No biggie at allso no worries .

[EL Ziggy]

I do think she's still a little small for fuzzies right now so I probably shouldn't up the prey size but I can't imagine one pinkie once a week being enough. I was thinking 2 pinkies every 5-7 days until she can move up to fuzzies. Does this sound reasonable? Is it ok to feed my larger Cal King (2) fuzzies every 5-7 days as I have been? He will be moving up to hoppers soon I just have about 10 fuzzies for him to finish off.

[KORBIN5895]

There's more than one way to do it.

Feed in another container...
Hook train while feeding in the tank

I prefer another container because it's safer IMO
Even with a food dish in the tank there's still a risk of the snake ingesting the bedding.
The snake is more than capable of dragging the food out of the dish into the bedding.
You don't have to worry about bedding being ingested now while using paper towels but if you want to start a routine now is the best time.

I am just putting this out there for those that don't know the truth so they don't buy into this old folk tale.

It is okay for a snake to eat substrate with its meal as long as you husbandry is proper. A snakes digestive system is amazingly powerful and can handle just about anything when proper husbandry requirement are met.

[franks]

I am just putting this out there for those that don't know the truth so they don't buy into this old folk tale.

It is okay for a snake to eat substrate with its meal as long as you husbandry is proper. A snakes digestive system is amazingly powerful and can handle just about anything when proper husbandry requirement are met.

Then why do all snakes eat off of paper towels in the wild?

[Terranaut]

I am just putting this out there for those that don't know the truth so they don't buy into this old folk tale.

It is okay for a snake to eat substrate with its meal as long as you husbandry is proper. A snakes digestive system is amazingly powerful and can handle just about anything when proper husbandry requirement are met.

I thought wild snakes carried paper plates around to eat off so they don't accidentaly eat a twig or a leaf and die ;)

[Lankyrob]

I thought wild snakes carried paper plates around to eat off so they don't accidentaly eat a twig or a leaf and die ;)

My snakes use bone china actually :p

[Terranaut]

Rat bone??? ;)

[KORBIN5895]

My snakes use bone china actually :p

Easier to digest I guess.

[smy_749]

I'm not using any substrate atm. Will my snakes die if I don't give them plates?

[Terranaut]

I must also be a horrible keeper. Feeding my snake the deadly "COCCO HUSK!!!"

Big deal :(
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j9/terranaut0/20130506_194542_zps8b7000fd.jpg

I love these google experts :)

[Ourobouros]

Do not copy this. Horrible advice. You do not feed every 4 days you feed weekly and 2-3 pinks should be replaced with a fuzzy or a hopper. Stay within 1.5 times the girth of your snake. The more mature the prey the higher amounts of calcium and keratin both needed for bone and skin developement in your new snake.


Kings are typically easy eaters so just offer the prey once a week and if refused wait until next week and try again. Missing a week for your snake is like you missing lunch. No biggie at allso no worries .

I feed when she's hungry and she's too small for fuzzies. If you want to see why I do it this way then I'll gladly post a video for you so you have something to base your advice on for me instead of flat out rejecting everything I say.

Oh and babies eat more frequently. As she gets bigger I'll have to extend the time in between feedings of course. Bhb reptiles actually feeds their baby snakes every 4 days too.

[Ourobouros]

I am just putting this out there for those that don't know the truth so they don't buy into this old folk tale.

It is okay for a snake to eat substrate with its meal as long as you husbandry is proper. A snakes digestive system is amazingly powerful and can handle just about anything when proper husbandry requirement are met.

Who was it that said using "in the wild" was a poor excuse for animal care?

[KORBIN5895]

Who was it that said using "in the wild" was a poor excuse for animal care?

Probably AaronS. Good thing you're so bright!

[Amadeus]

I feed when she's hungry and she's too small for fuzzies. If you want to see why I do it this way then I'll gladly post a video for you so you have something to base your advice on for me instead of flat out rejecting everything I say.

Oh and babies eat more frequently. As she gets bigger I'll have to extend the time in between feedings of course. Bhb reptiles actually feeds their baby snakes every 4 days too.

A kingsnake could eat a prey item at least 2 times the girth of the thickest part of its body.

[Ourobouros]

Can. Doesn't mean I'm wrong about it. Although I got clarification on my own.

I got my info elsewhere without the attitude from people here. I'm going to share it before I decide to not bother with this place anymore.

These are from Bhb and I highly respect what he does and he's clearly successful and not a worthless piece of garbage like a lot of people here. Don't get me wrong, even some of nasty people here have good advice but SUCK at communicating it. It's like being rude is the only way to talk.

How do I feed my snakes?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4D6KgHSFwM&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Top 10 Bad Advice
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jt0iBCWzCOE&feature=youtube_gdata_player

[Amadeus]

Can. Doesn't mean I'm wrong about it. Although I got clarification on my own.

I got my info elsewhere without the attitude from people here. I'm going to share it before I decide to not bother with this place anymore.

These are from Bhb and I highly respect what he does and he's clearly successful and not a worthless piece of garbage like a lot of people here. Don't get me wrong, even some of nasty people here have good advice but SUCK at communicating it. It's like being rude is the only way to talk.

How do I feed my snakes?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4D6KgHSFwM&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Top 10 Bad Advice
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jt0iBCWzCOE&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Hey, I thought you were done with this forum.

[possum]

I do think she's still a little small for fuzzies right now so I probably shouldn't up the prey size but I can't imagine one pinkie once a week being enough. I was thinking 2 pinkies every 5-7 days until she can move up to fuzzies. Does this sound reasonable? Is it ok to feed my larger Cal King (2) fuzzies every 5-7 days as I have been? He will be moving up to hoppers soon I just have about 10 fuzzies for him to finish off.
Yes, it's reasonable. Not necessary but reasonable (at least without seeing the exact size of your snake?). Just don't get in the habit of feeding doubles....snakes get fat too, & it's doing them no favor.

[Terranaut]

Hey, I thought you were done with this forum.

Still trying to get the last "wrong" word in :(

[Starbuck]

Yes, it's reasonable. Not necessary but reasonable (at least without seeing the exact size of your snake?). Just don't get in the habit of feeding doubles....snakes get fat too, & it's doing them no favor.

I agree with possum.
You could also just save the fuzzes for the smaller snake, and move your cal king directly up to hoppers. That way when the smaller one is ready for fuzzys you will have some ready, and you will have them in your freezer as she grows to compare her body size to.

It may take a few extra days (7 instead of 5?) for the feeding lump to disappear after her first fuzzy, so just be observant of your snake.

[Terranaut]

Can. Doesn't mean I'm wrong about it. Although I got clarification on my own.

I got my info elsewhere without the attitude from people here. I'm going to share it before I decide to not bother with this place anymore.

These are from Bhb and I highly respect what he does and he's clearly successful and not a worthless piece of garbage like a lot of people here. Don't get me wrong, even some of nasty people here have good advice but SUCK at communicating it. It's like being rude is the only way to talk.

How do I feed my snakes?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4D6KgHSFwM&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Top 10 Bad Advice
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jt0iBCWzCOE&feature=youtube_gdata_player

So I am sitting here with a few minutes to spare before I start work and I decided to share this with a few non herp coworkers. I read some of the posts and then played both of these videos. Coworker Lisa who is terrified of snakes says" the mad guy doesn't even follow his idols advice" Lol dude if you advocate this show and it's advice you should realize he says to feed every 5-7 days,inside the enclosure and never once says to feed multiple prey items. Your even telling others to do stuff other than what is in the videos? What is wrong with you??



To the op...I am sorry to do this to your thread but this guy has dropped some bad advice as fact and I just want you and people looking for factual advice that they will actually follow to know they should not do what was suggested above. People will read bad advice and come on here to solve it...not just go another bad direction.

[EL Ziggy]

Good morning all,
Just wanted to let you all know that my MBK "Sasha Fierce" ate her 1st f/t pinkie last night. She was a bit hesitant at first but after a little dangling and teasing she got with the program. I didn't give her seconds but I think I will going forward until she moves up to fuzzies, hopefully in a month or two. Then it's one properly sized prey item every 5-7 days with occasional 2nds. I want my snakes to grow big, strong and most importantly healthy. Let me say that I greatly appreciate the knowledge and information ALL of you have shared even though I know opinions are often subjective and some things work better for some people than others. In the end I believe we all just want to give our pets the best possible care. Enjoy every moment.

[Terranaut]

Well said and good luck with your snake. The first few meals can be the hardest so your doing good so far.

[Amadeus]

Good morning all,
Just wanted to let you all know that my MBK "Sasha Fierce" ate her 1st f/t pinkie last night. She was a bit hesitant at first but after a little dangling and teasing she got with the program. I didn't give her seconds but I think I will going forward until she moves up to fuzzies, hopefully in a month or two. Then it's one properly sized prey item every 5-7 days with occasional 2nds. I want my snakes to grow big, strong and most importantly healthy. Let me say that I greatly appreciate the knowledge and information ALL of you have shared even though I know opinions are often subjective and some things work better for some people than others. In the end I believe we all just want to give our pets the best possible care. Enjoy every moment.

Congrats, should be a voracious eater in the future =]

[Aaron_S]

Hey, I thought you were done with this forum.

I like you.


Congrats to the OP.

[bcr229]

I feed when she's hungry...
LOL if I fed my MBK every time she was "hungry" she'd be chowing down every 2 days. Same for my female boas.

[possum]

Good morning all,
Just wanted to let you all know that my MBK "Sasha Fierce" ate her 1st f/t pinkie last night. She was a bit hesitant at first but after a little dangling and teasing she got with the program. I didn't give her seconds but I think I will going forward until she moves up to fuzzies, hopefully in a month or two. Then it's one properly sized prey item every 5-7 days with occasional 2nds. I want my snakes to grow big, strong and most importantly healthy. Let me say that I greatly appreciate the knowledge and information ALL of you have shared even though I know opinions are often subjective and some things work better for some people than others. In the end I believe we all just want to give our pets the best possible care. Enjoy every moment.
Well done getting her on f/t & best of luck w/ her & any others you keep...you're on track.

[Concept9]

LOL if I fed my MBK every time she was "hungry" she'd be chowing down every 2 days. Same for my female boas.

I've never known mine NOT to be hungry, LOL.