Gandalf the Gray-Banded Alterna (lots of pics)

[beastul]

Thought I'd introduce my river road alterna morph gray-band Gandalf. He's my first snake. My husband has a tiger retic and had a red-tail but Gandalf is MINE <3
We bought him (I say "him" but I'm not sure of the sex) at a local pet shop. I wanted to get an "easier" snake than the retic.
Gandalf is the sweetest snake ever, I just love him. He's the perfect 1st snake, never stuck at me (he doesn't even strike at the F/T mice he gets!)

So yeah... here he is!

When we first got him:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8317/8037202210_98f0656e90.jpg

Guarding his tank:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8172/8037209302_48af6a0b61.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8309/8037208252_4b303101f0.jpg

He loves glasses:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8176/8037204851_e0b2f4b9c6.jpg

Saying hello:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8169/8037201645_f5ed025fc2.jpg

Exploring:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8039/8037205944_54bc5e755c.jpg

Recently switched him to his adult tank:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8038/8037206974_e86b8a4b34.jpg

[Jlassiter]

Nice...
Interesting that a pet shop knew the locality data....

Personally I would use a heat pad under one end of the tank instead of a heat lamp in the center of the tank......
That way a thermal gradient can be provided....alterna do not bask in the sun.....

[beastul]

I was just about to add that that's not a heat light, it's just a dome fixture cause that's what we had...
He does have a UTH. But thanks for the concern!

[Kingsnakechris]

Very nice I love the tank in his tank lol

[Jlassiter]

K...cool, but it will still cause some dehydration....

Pretty alterna....I have a few myself from a few different localities.....

[beastul]

K...cool, but it will still cause some dehydration....

Pretty alterna....I have a few myself from a few different localities.....

Do you not light your tanks at all? I wouldn't want to hurt him, just thought I'd light it to simulate day/night... I do keep fresh water at all times in the white bowl...

[marvelfreak]

Cool look little King snake.

[Jlassiter]

Do you not light your tanks at all? I wouldn't want to hurt him, just thought I'd light it to simulate day/night... I do keep fresh water at all times in the white bowl...

Room lighting is enough...
I use no supplemental lighting except the room lighting for all 150 kings I keep.....

Alterna are underground during the day and only come out at dark, if at all....they are typically not found when there is a full moon.....
They are purely nocturnal.......

[beastul]

Room lighting is enough...
I use no supplemental lighting except the room lighting for all 150 kings I keep.....

Alterna are underground during the day and only come out at dark, if at all....they are typically not found when there is a full moon.....
They are purely nocturnal.......

Interesting... I guess in my experience he often does explore during the day

[Jlassiter]

Interesting... I guess in my experience he often does explore during the day

He is looking for a place to hide.
Or he is trying to thermal regulate.....looking for the right temps.

I'd also provide a humidity gradient.

[beastul]

He is looking for a place to hide.
Or he is trying to thermal regulate.....looking for the right temps.

I'd also provide a humidity gradient.

I do have another hide that I was cleaning at the time of the photo.
Thanks for all the info.

[Jlassiter]

I do have another hide that I was cleaning at the time of the photo.
Thanks for all the info.

No problem.....sounds like he is in good hands.

[Skumbo]

Love the gray on him! Awesome name as well.

Definitely listen to John, he knows his kings!

The best thing you can do for a snake is give it options, because then you don't have to guess what it wants or needs, it can just do it for you. From my experience with nocturnal snakes - I moved mine to a new cage and he whipped around for a few days exploring, trying to escape, etc. but once he found he could hide safely in the hides I provided him - He only comes out at night.

Also - you can dehydrate the snake even with enough water in the dish. Im not sure for kingsnakes or yours in particular (im sure john could butt in here) but I know some snakes prefer a humidity gradient through a humid hide - usually sphagnum moss in a hide that allows the snake to go to a humid place and still feel secure if they wanted to.

[Snakeman8]

i love graybands, very docile.

[RobsCornField]

The regular geek in me LOVES his name and tank, and the herp geek in me thinks he's absolutely beautiful!

[Tango]

The regular geek in me LOVES his name and tank, and the herp geek in me thinks he's absolutely beautiful!

Cant say anything better than that!!!

Congrats on the new snake!

[beastul]

Love the gray on him! Awesome name as well.

Definitely listen to John, he knows his kings!

The best thing you can do for a snake is give it options, because then you don't have to guess what it wants or needs, it can just do it for you. From my experience with nocturnal snakes - I moved mine to a new cage and he whipped around for a few days exploring, trying to escape, etc. but once he found he could hide safely in the hides I provided him - He only comes out at night.

Also - you can dehydrate the snake even with enough water in the dish. Im not sure for kingsnakes or yours in particular (im sure john could butt in here) but I know some snakes prefer a humidity gradient through a humid hide - usually sphagnum moss in a hide that allows the snake to go to a humid place and still feel secure if they wanted to.

Thanks! I do have another wooden pedal box (I'm a guitar/bass player) that I converted into a humid hide, wasn't in the tank at picture time. :)

[beastul]

The regular geek in me LOVES his name and tank, and the herp geek in me thinks he's absolutely beautiful!

Thanks! I am indeed a geek of many colors as well :D

[beastul]

Took Jlassiter's advice and I don't use the overhead light anymore.
Here's a pic with the other hide that I use as a humid hide, it's a Big Muff guitar pedal box (I'm also a guitar nerd...) Also picked up a wizard friend haha

Do you think I should do a background?

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8333/8103697717_1e022b51a5.jpg

[Jlassiter]

Looking good....

You should name the snake Superfuzz so you can have a superfuzz-bigmuff.......

I think only you will get that joke......

[Gungirl]

Yes you should cover the back of the tank with something. It tends to look better and make the snake feel more secure.

[Ridge Runner_20]

I love the greybands! Beautiful snakes! Thanks for sharing. :D

RR_20 (Mike)

[beastul]

Got a new camera for Christmas so I thought I'd share this picture. :)

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8491/8320217518_b7b3e4ceef.jpg

[Jlassiter]

Nice pic of a nice snake.