Cali King Growth Rate?

[ruthupton]

I have a book on Cali Kings but it just gives the length when a hatching and when an adult.

So, what I would like to know is - what are the approx lengths at 12 months, two years, three years, etc?

Thanks.

[Mr.X]

hello ruthupton. Well the lenght depends on how often and how much food you give the snake.

[ruthupton]

Right. How do I reply to that??? LOL

[marisa]

What he means is there really is no average. Some might be 24 inches long at a year old, while others might be more like 35 inches long.

If you are feeding it every four days it will most likely grow a bit faster. Feeding it once per week then it will grow slower. But even this is not a for sure thing as I have had corns who are fed on a normal schedual (once per week) reach 40 inchesz by year one. Not a king but just an example.

No average. It just depends :)

Marisa

[ruthupton]

If I feed at a standard rate, how long can I expect 'Skunky' to be when she becomes an adult and at what age is she an adult?

[vanderkm]

Feeding one prey item that leaves a decent sized bulge at least once every 5-7 days will likely result in a female cal king that is 3 feet long by a year of age. It could be fed at the same rate and be over 4 feet long by 2 years and will be mature at 3 years at between 4-5 feet in length even if fed only every 2 weeks in the last year. Some people might put maturity at 2 years and 4 feet when they could breed, but they continue to grow and fill out throughout their life but seem to slow down quite a bit after 3-4 years. This is just based on my experience and there is a lot of variation even among cal kings. They also tend to pack on fat if fed heavily after a year of age so we limit feed our cal kings to some extent now. Our adults range from 4 to 6 feet and each gets a small rat a couple times a month during the summer and are brumated for the winter months.

mary v.

mary v.

[marisa]

haha again, some cal kings reach 40 inches. Some reach up to 60 inches and I have even seen larger (very rare but out there)

No one can say how big yours will be but most are "mature" at around 3-4 years old I guess. Again this is just a guess and there is no set time for snakes when it comes to how big they are at what age or when they are mature. Snakes continue growing their entire lives somewhat, it just slows down to almost nothing as they get older.

Marisa

[AlexPan]

The Kings can mate at the age of 2 years old but i strongly desincouradge that cause the female can have an opening too small for the eggs to came out ant it will literally die. The best year to mate them i think is when they are 3 years old with no risks taking.

[ruthupton]

brumated?

[marisa]

Brumating is the "down time" snakes take, or people give snakes during the cooler shorter winter days. Most North American snakes use this time (depending on location sept?-march or so) to hide or borrow down and their body temp stays far lower than normal. They also do not eat during this time. When they awake in the spring they are also in the mood for love. lol

In captives what you do is place the snakes at temps ranging from 45-65 for a couple months. This can help stimulate breeding, and some cal king males go off food during the winter months if they are brumated or not. So it helps in some cases. As for a pet snake, they do not need brumation and can live long happy lives without it.

Marisa

[ruthupton]

Skunky is a pet. I do not plan to breed from her. Thank-you, everyone, for your help and advice.

[Will]

I do not plan to breed from her. Thank-you, everyone, for your help and advice.

Then my advice would be to feed her as big an item as she'll accept once a week, toss out any worries about average sizes etc, and enjoy your pet. :D

[Andy_G]

I am with Will!!!

[ruthupton]

Since I am new to all this, I guess I am worrying needlessly. LOL she's my baby and I want her to grow at a healthy rate.

Someone mentioned weighing snakes. Heck, I'd have to catch her first. ;o)

Seriously, at the moment she is FAST. will she remain a fast snake or, as she gets older, will she slow down a bit? Will I need rollerblades to keep up with her? At the moment she is making me feel sea-sick, zooming round and round.

What age is best for getting her used to being handled, please?

[Will]

When they reach full size, they reach around 1kg, at which time they want to do little else but curl in a ball and rest. The babies are alot more psycho than the adults.

[ruthupton]

Will, thank-you for reassuring me that I shall not have to rush around like an idiot after her when she is older. LOL

[PaulBar]

Question for Will,

Should you brumate snakes when growing them out prior to breeding? Shouldn't you not brumate, to keep them eating and growing year round to reach adult size?

Just curious

Paul