Feeding my 50-50 california king

[50-50CALKING]

I recently purchased a kingsnake from my petstore. Its still small ( over a foot in length). I fed it a f/t pinkie on sunday and i fed another today (tuesday). Would feeding it every couple of days be bad for the snake? I have gotten mixed oppinions and I would like to clarify. Also, would it be safe for me to sprinkle calcium powder on the f/t pinkies? How much would you suggest I feed the snake? :medglasse

I was also wondering if green astroturf is safe for the snake. I'm worried it will hurt its belly but I'm new to the snake world so I don't really know. Right now I have aspen but its too thick for the UTH to penetrate. Any information you have is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[rrrrr]

Better to feed every 5 days or so at this size. You can feed more than one prey item though. If he takes 2 pinkies without trouble for a couple of feedings, move him to small fuzzies. Dont worry about calcium supplementation...it's totally unnecessary.

I know people who use astroturf and similar carpets, so I assume it's fine.

[mmichele]

i have green astroturf and it works great

if it works for me it will work for you

[50-50CALKING]

Thanks a bunch for the help guys. I appreciate it. I'll probably have more questions sooner or later because I'm a new to snakes. Keep an eye out for me.
:medcyclop

Thanks again!

[Bluzmn59]

I have been using astro-turf and have only one complaint. It is a little more tricky to maintain humidity levels. I do not keep kings, though, so I do not know their requirements.

[rrrrr]

I have been using astro-turf and have only one complaint. It is a little more tricky to maintain humidity levels. I do not keep kings, though, so I do not know their requirements.

Cal-kings are pretty tolerant to a wide range of humidities. If he/she ever has problems shedding, then you want to think about controlling humidity, but I dont expect you'll have issues.

[gonesnakee]

I'd suggest bumping up the prey size to small fuzzies or feed 2-3 pinkies. Weekly is fine for feeding, usually folks that feed more frequently do so because they are trying to get the specimen up to breeding size quick. Sometimes if you feed it too soon after a prior meal it will cause a regurge, I would feed weekly myself thats what I've always done with 100's of CKs I've kept.
Lose the astroturf it is a breeding ground for bacteria, unless it is removed every time the snake "goes" & completely sanitized. I would use shop towels (blue paper towels) for now & then go to aspen when the snake gets bigger. Don't worry it will burrow under it to get to the heat. Shop towels are the best IMHO as they are just tossed & replaced when soiled, no washing crap off of them etc. & they are always clean & sanitary. If you insist on the turf make sure you have a few of them so they can be alternated while cleaning & drying the soiled ones.
You do not need Calcium powder at all as the snake recv.s everything it needs from its prey without supplement. Its a snake not a lizard : )
Humidity should never be an issue for a CK as long as it has a nice big bowl of fresh water, they live in the desert usually in the wild. Mark

[50-50CALKING]

thanks everyone, i appreciate the help.