Temp for desert king?

Austin659 · 11-02-13, 05:06 PM

I just got a young desert king snake and keep the temperature between 74-76 under the hide on the cool side and 84-87 on the hot side. Being my first snake I have ever owned I am still constantly searching for more information. Just now I visited a sight and it suggested 80f on the cool side and 85-90 on the hot side for a desert king, have I had my temperatures to cold? Also I noticed my snakes eyes have turned a light foggy blue color so I am expecting it to shed, I will be bumping up the humidity to around 60% once I am sure but should the temperature change wile its in shed as well. And lastly is it good to let the temperature drop 5 degrees on each side at night.

**EL Ziggy** · 11-02-13, 06:04 PM

Hi Austin, welcome to the forum and congrats on your new king. I have a Cal King and a MBK and my temps are exactly the same as yours. The cool side stays around 74-76 and I keep my warm side at 86. Not sure if the desert kings have different needs. The only thing I do when my snakes are shedding is to mist their cages twice a day or add a moist hide. I dont drop my temps at night but I know some do. My temp gradient stay pretty consistent. Best wishes.

Austin659 · 11-02-13, 07:12 PM

Thanks, so far it seem all kings requirements are just about the same, and I could not find another site that said to keep those temps so my guess is its not the best advice. Its been kind of hard to find info on desert kings because they seem to be less popular then other king snake types, but ill be searching for a book just on desert kings soon when I get the time.

**EL Ziggy** · 11-02-13, 08:48 PM

Let us know what you find out Austin and let's see some pics of that desert king when you can. I'm curious to see what they look like.

Austin659 · 11-02-13, 09:12 PM

I will be able to get some pictures up tomorrow afternoon or evening, trying a new feeding plan tonight, but I just saw him out and about in his cage so it is looking hopeful.

sharthun · 11-02-13, 09:25 PM

Hey and welcome! Desert kings are cool!

**EL Ziggy** · 11-02-13, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Austin659

I will be able to get some pictures up tomorrow afternoon or evening, trying a new feeding plan tonight, but I just saw him out and about in his cage so it is looking hopeful.

What kind of feeding plan are you using Austin? If you don't mind me asking.

Austin659 · 11-03-13, 05:38 AM

Well I have not been able to get it to eat F/T yet. So after a lot of looking around for information and from a few people on here I have decided to feed him in cage, around 9am yesterday I placed a pinky in his cage and left it, still no luck.

Austin659 · 11-03-13, 08:26 AM

1103130654a - My Photo Gallery

Austin659 · 11-03-13, 08:28 AM

1103130707b1 - My Photo Gallery

Austin659 · 11-03-13, 08:30 AM

There are two pictures of Noodles, not to good just took them with my phone, but I am going to start a new thread and load it with pictures to see if I can get identified for sure. I am fairly certain that it is a desert king interbreed with speckled king

**EL Ziggy** · 11-03-13, 09:30 AM

Very nice Austin. It does look like a speckled desert king. I'm sure you'll get him on f/t soon. Sometimes it can take a while. I feed my kings in their vivs too and usually at night. Have you tried scenting or braining the mouse? Keep us posted.

Austin659 · 11-03-13, 10:48 AM

I have not tried braining yet but I am familiar with the technique, and will give it a try but what do you mean by scenting? And today I took another look at him and his eyes have become very cloudy greyish with a faint blue tent and his body has dimmed quite a bit so I am expecting for it to shed, guessing that is why he has not eaten quite yet. But if you could explain what you mean by scenting I could try it once it has shed its skin.

**EL Ziggy** · 11-03-13, 12:54 PM

Some snakes eat during shed and some dont. My MBK usually doesn't but my Cal King will. Scenting is basically saturating the prey item with a scent that stimulates the snake to eat. Some people use lizards, others use tuna. My Cal King has been on a fast for about a month now. I bought a can of tuna to scent the next mouse with. I'll just put some of the tuna in a bag with the thawed mouse and hope he decides to eat. He hasnt lost any weight and seems to be perfectly fine. I've heard some snakes take a feeding break around this time of year.

drumcrush · 11-03-13, 02:37 PM

Another good thing that might work is leaving your snake with the mouse, and covering what ever you use to feed him in with a towel or blanket. It helps make him feel secure and concentrate on the food, and eliminates outside distractions.