Lampropeltis alterna

[marisa]

Hi guys!

I am about to purchase 1.1 proven Lampropeltis alterna this month....they will be my first grey banded kings. I have been reading but I have a couple questions for you keepers. :)

1. How is the temperment on these guys as adults? Similar to cal kings? Or?

2. I currently use rubbermaid tubs that are 36 long, 17 wide and 6 tall....is this suitable housing? My corns and california kings do fine in these and I am sure the alterna will as well but I wanted to make sure.

3. Most all of my snakes are eating rats now. These two alterna are adults like I said, and mouse feeders. I know they aren't the biggest of species but would rats be out of the question for them? hard to switch over? I don't mind feeding mice, but rats would be more convienent.

Thanks for your replies! I am SOOOOO excited!

Marisa

[Colonel_SB]

I would say they are a little more jumpy then cal kings but that really depends on how old they are, and yeah that should be a good size for them. Mice are thier usual captive diet but if you can get them on rats more power to ya, but babies tend to be a pian to get on rodents.

You gotta post pics asap I love grey bands :)

[marisa]

They are both 3-4 years old. So I won't be dealing with hatchings jumpy-ness just yet. Obviously all snakes within a species are individuals, and I have heard both sides...they are jumpy, while others have told me they find them to be one of the calmer kings when it comes to handling.

Marisa

[Tim_Cranwill]

1. Similar to Cal Kings? Pfff. NOPE. 10x more calm! More like a corn than a Cal King. :D

2. That will be plenty of room. Not too much, not too little. Just fine. :)

3. I don't have enough experience with this ssp to answer that with much truth. Mine won't eat rats, but that's just mine. :)

Best of luck with the pair, I think I was "eyeing" the same ones! :p I wasn't much a GB fan until I got one in a trade. :D

[marisa]

:P Thanks Tim. I am estactic and cannot wait for them!

I guess the rat thing might happen or might not. Either way is fine but i think I will take some pups and hoppers away from the moms just in case they have a taste for rats!

Thanks for the replys so far!

Marisa

[vanderkm]

Congrats on the new grey bands - very beautiful snakes - I am sure you will love them and really looking forward to seeing pics of them.

We have never had them, so can't help with your questions, other than to say the ones I have handled have been exceptional - very calm and quite a bit like variable or Durango kings - some of our favorites.

congrats again,

mary v.

[gonesnakee]

They are nothing like CKs. They are total wimps, even moreso than Corns. Your housing should be fine. As far as jumpy goes of the couple hundred hatchlings I've dealt with not one was even flighty. These babies are the easiest in the world to "delicup" LOL but babies suck for eating. It usually takes them a month or 2 to even get hungry. I wouldn't even bother going thru all the scenting BS etc. as I found that it don't help, they eat when they decide LOL I've never tried any on mine on Rats, but they all eat great on mice. Shouldn't be a problem to switch them over though?? (You'll have to try I guess) I have only ever seen one bite someone, hungry snake & thought buddy was a mouse & of course it happened right after buddy asked "If they bite" LOL of course I laughed when he asked & even harder when it bit him as I had never been bit by one ever LOL & could barely beleive it happened. Anyhow they are great snakes to deal with & once established they are a joy to own. Are you grabbing them from Henry P.? Good Luck Mark
P.S. I'm working with 1.4 adults, currently have 35 babies & 3 more clutches cooking, so I'd guess you could call me experienced LOL as I also produced 6 clutches last year also : ) (pats self on back Heh Heh)

[marisa]

Wow THANK YOU! And yes, the pair is on Henry P's available page. I saw them and figured a pair of established proven breeders would be a good choice for my first alterna.

I am sure I am going to fall in love.
Marisa

[gonesnakee]

So they are these ones then. Mark
http://www.a1pythons.com/Aug5_2004.htm

P.S. I "think?" the 2 2003 females were produced by me?

[marisa]

Yup the two at the top.

I was considering also purchasing a female from the trio he has for sale, but I'll stick with just two for starters. :) But if I wanted more, that "female #2" is just outstanding in my opinion.

Marisa