Can someone please help me out here

[KyleKennedy]

Hey everyone, I'm kinda new to this forum and new to owning kingsnakes. I've only dealt with large boas and pythons in the past, but yesterday some woman on craigslist was offering to give away a white striped Cali kingsnake with enclosure and everything for free, so I took it. He is only about 5 inches long. She was not home when I showed up to pick up the snake so I couldn't ask any questions. I just wanna know what a 5 inch kingsnake eats and how often should I feed him/her

[EL Ziggy]

Are your temps and humidity on par? If it's a baby king then it should eat mice pinkys. I'd feed it a small pinky every 5-7 days.

[KyleKennedy]

Yeah, I did my research. Everything is perfect. I just never owned a kingsnake before, let alone a baby one. Are you sure it can eat a pinky? The snake is smaller than my finger.

[FWK]

This thread needs pics! Grats on the pickup, Cali Kings are awesome. And I agree with EL-Ziggy on small pinks every 5-7 days.

[KyleKennedy]

Here he/she is. It's so tiny. It's on top of the box in the corner of the tank. I'm still trying to get used to owning a small snake. All my other snakes are well over 6 feet.

[EL Ziggy]

Looks like a pinky eater to me.

[KyleKennedy]

Looks like a pinky eater to me.

Thanks guys. I'm gonna text the previous owner today and ask her when was the last time the snake ate. If it's been more than a week, I'll get a pinky.

[prairiepanda]

Can handle pinkies for sure. Cute little guy! Definitely more than 5 inches though.

[Albert Clark]

Looks like he can handle fuzzies or rat pinks though. (mouse fuzzies)

[Rattlehead]

I'd say a pinky every 5 days would be ok. If he can't eat it whole, you can offer portions of it. Try to get a lower water container, as he might not be able to get in (or out).

[KyleKennedy]

Can handle pinkies for sure. Cute little guy! Definitely more than 5 inches though.

Thank you all for the advice. The lady said he ate 17 days ago so I will be for sure feeding him/her tonight. I was considering selling him at first, but I think I might just hold onto him. Can't wait to see how his colors look when he is fully grown.

[KyleKennedy]

I'd say a pinky every 5 days would be ok. If he can't eat it whole, you can offer portions of it. Try to get a lower water container, as he might not be able to get in (or out).

I've never had to offer portions of prey before to a snake, except when I had to cut off baby bunnies' heads when I had my savannah monitor. Do I need to do the same for a kingsnake? Cut off the prey's head or slice the body in half? Sorry for being so blunt, but I want to do all I can to make sure he grows up nice and healthy.

[Rattlehead]

I have read that you can do it in slices, or transversally (when it's still frozen, for better cutting). When I got my kingsnake, it was small too, but it could swallow a whole newborn pinky. I think yours might be smaller, but try it first and see if he can handle it. Be patient and help the little guy to find the pinky's head.

[EL Ziggy]

I think your king can handle a whole pinky. Just start with the smaller ones first. I've never had to feed my kings a portion of a meal.