How much should I feed?

Adam165 · 05-19-13, 03:43 PM

We have an albino California king that is about 4 ft long. I don't have a problem with her eating, my problem is how much should I feed her? I'm feeding her large ft mice. I usually give her three once a week unless one of the other snakes doesn't eat and then I give her the leftovers. She still acts hungry to me so I have fed her a couple every three days. What is the best thing to do? I don't want to leave her hungry but is there a problem with letting them eat too much? Should I feed more or more often?

Lankyrob · 05-19-13, 04:11 PM

I dont keep kings but it sounds like a lot to me, hopefully someone with more knowledge will pop along soon.......

Starbuck · 05-19-13, 05:08 PM

that sounds like a lot of food to me as well. I have two cal kings that are almost 3 feet, and they each get 1 or 2 small adult mice/week (maybe 30grams?).

Kings are renowned for being monster eaters, always ready and willing to eat... but that doesnt mean they need to eat every time they are hungry lol!

If you could post a picture of your snake, we could help tell you if it is overweight. Personally, i would feed it one or 2 adult large mice 1x per week.
If you are having problems with aggression/feeding responses when you try to handle her, I would look into hook training, or possibly try feeding her one mouse twice a week (every 3-4 days) so she isnt feeling so hungry....

My female king is a lunatic in the tank, everything is food. Hook training really brought her around and makes her a dream when she is out of her viv, but even when you put her back she starts looking for a meal.

CK SandBoas · 05-19-13, 05:18 PM

Stick to one to two small adult mice every 7-10 days, that is what i have my grey banded king on, and he does well on that schedule.

Adam165 · 05-19-13, 08:48 PM

She's a puppy dog when it comes to handling, not aggressive at all. I haven't mastered posting pics from my iPhone yet but how do you tell if they are overweight?

Starbuck · 05-20-13, 03:36 AM

and overwight snake will have a rounded appearance when looking at the belly scales in profile; i.e. the belly will appear convex. A healthy weight snake will have a flat or concave belly profile. Keep in mind that recent feedings can make them appear rounded, and that even a fat snake can 'flex' and suck in its belly scales, its more about getting the whole picture.
A fat snake will also have a very sudden 'drop off' at the tail; i.e. they will suddenly go from 1 inch diameter to .5 inch diameter right about the vent.

A thin snake will have a concave belly, prominent dip along the backbone, and a sucked in appearance behind the head. For a king, they should have almost no neck hahaha

It sounds like maybe she is just acting hungry all the time, and you are responding by giving her what she wants, food lol. My kings always act hungry, but i think that is just who they are.
Do you brumate at all?

Adam165 · 05-21-13, 03:29 PM

I don't brumate her. Judging from your description she may be a little on the plump side