Speckled Kingsnake Advice

LadyWraith · 05-16-15, 10:00 PM

So, I found this little guy a couple hours ago. Some of my neighbors were trying to kill the "baby cottonmouth" in one of the hallways in my apartment building. A beautiful little speckled king snake. Very healthy looking specimen as well.

The only real reason I have it captive currently is to grow it out some before releasing at my parent's property. As much as I'd REALLY like to keep it, I'm not sure how I feel about having a wild caught specimen. Any advice for resources on care in general would be great!

**Minkness** · 05-16-15, 10:25 PM

IF it's legal to actually keep, I'd suggest taking it to a vet for an overall exam and worming. Set it up per recommend stats (heat, humidity, hide, ect) and get a few meals in it.

Personally, I'd keep it and not release it later because for me, if I'm going to release it at all, might as well be asap. It's also a real beauty.

So, if you plan on releasing it, just release it. If you want to keep it (and it's legal to do so) take it to the vet and be prepared to make a long term commitment.

Either way, it's a beautiful snake and I'm more than a little jealous!

LadyWraith · 05-16-15, 11:32 PM

Plan to keep it only to allow it to get slightly larger. Otherwise I WOULD release it immediately. My parents are wanting a king around to keep their venomous snake population under control. It's currently not large enough to very effective for their purposes.

MDT · 05-17-15, 05:06 AM

pretty snake dani....i love speckled kings...the american "diamond python"... more pics!

Rattlehead · 05-17-15, 06:55 AM

Really cool! Could it be possible that the snake escaped from other apartment?

**EL Ziggy** · 05-17-15, 09:52 AM

I love the Speckled Kings. I agree with Mink if you're going to release it do it now. I also agree with Aaron, it's probably an escapee. Beautiful snake either way.

LadyWraith · 05-17-15, 09:24 PM

Thanks guys. MDT, they are definitely the US diamond python haha. Seriously gorgeous snake. I can't stop staring. And no, it is very unlikely to be an escapee... this is an Oklahoma native and I live in their prime territory. Very common around here. And considering the apartment building it was found near butts right up to a huge field and wooded area, that is most likely where it came from. No offense, but all I'm needing is some info on feeding frequency, not recommendations on how long to/or not to keep it. I already have a plan for that. :-) In other words, those of you that keep king snakes, how frequently do you offer food?

**Minkness** · 05-17-15, 09:51 PM

My little lady gets fed twice a week and has put on consistent, healthy weight. I feed her smaller meals though. Like, she could eat 2 fuzzies if I let her, but instead, she gets 2 large pinkies. (Also because that's just what I have till I run out).

Not that I normally would suggest feeding live, but since you plan on letting it go, I would stick to live to keep it more 'natural' and so that there is less time wasted with trying to switch to f/t or confusing it (if that's possible, I don't know) when it's wild again.

Good luck. =)

MDT · 05-17-15, 10:02 PM

dani...i wouldn't get crazy and overthink it. i would feed like any other colubrid/lampropeltis and offer every 7 or so... fresh water, a couple of hides, etc...she'll do fine. i've kept many over the years when younger, and like most other kings, they thrive.

**EL Ziggy** · 05-18-15, 09:00 AM

I learned something new today

. I feed my young kings every 5 days until they turn 1, then I feed them every 7 days.

Albert Clark · 05-18-15, 09:06 AM

Born free live free! Let the poor guy go and order one from a breeder. Just IMO.

**Minkness** · 05-18-15, 10:59 AM

Albert, OP wants to let it go to aid in venomous snake control at his parents place. Releasing captive bred is generally illegal and frowned upon, not to mention a waste of money. OP just wants it a bit bigger before releasing it. So, it will be returned to the wild healthy.

Albert Clark · 05-18-15, 12:03 PM

Oh, l see. I still think the king snake shouldn't be held captive bc it's wild from the jump. The snake is very capable of handling its enviornment and finding food. It's not like the animal is injured or ill. Let the animal decide for itself how much it wants to eat after he regains his freedom.

**EL Ziggy** · 05-18-15, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Albert Clark

Born free live free.

Great mantra AC.

prairiepanda · 05-18-15, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LadyWraith

Thanks guys. MDT, they are definitely the US diamond python haha. Seriously gorgeous snake. I can't stop staring. And no, it is very unlikely to be an escapee... this is an Oklahoma native and I live in their prime territory. Very common around here. And considering the apartment building it was found near butts right up to a huge field and wooded area, that is most likely where it came from. No offense, but all I'm needing is some info on feeding frequency, not recommendations on how long to/or not to keep it. I already have a plan for that. :-) In other words, those of you that keep king snakes, how frequently do you offer food?

The problem with your plan is that you're going to get the snake accustomed to having food dropped right in front of it, and eating only one type of prey exclusively. It would fare much better in the wild if released immediately, so that it can continue to develop its hunting skills and learn to recognize a variety of prey.

If you'd like to keep it as a pet, though, that's fine by me. It was going to be killed by someone anyway, so you're not stealing away its opportunities. But if you're going to keep it, then I wouldn't recommend releasing it later on since it is still young and you'll be teaching it how to thrive in captivity, not in the wild.

As for feeding frequency, I would feed every 7 days with prey around 15% of his body weight until he reaches adult size, and then cut it down to every 10 days with 10-15% body weight. Weigh him regularly to ensure that he is not becoming underweight or overweight, and adjust feeding accordingly.