can anyone help me make my cali king more comfortable?

pumpkincrumb · 04-12-20, 07:21 PM

Hey guys!!! ive only made an account for this thread as i need some advice, so im sorry if i dont return and join any more threads. (also sorry if i post this wrong!!! im doing my best!!!)
So, I have a 5'6"~ (167 cm) 16 yr old California king, and im having some issues with him often being in food mode.
Unfortunately, he's in a 40 gallon terrarium, which i know is very small for him, but that terrarium is from the previous owner, and i havent been able to find a 75 gallon tank to buy. Now that I'm moving, all that i can do is make him as comfortable as possible until i can get him a new one.
But, my snake keeps biting himself. I know it's because his tank is too small, but im wondering if theres a way i can make him more comfortable? I really hate seeing him in pain.
He's also starting to develop some minor scale rot. Any way i can help him with that?
(i feed him a large mouse every week, by the way. ive tried rats because i wasnt sure if that was a good idea, but he just got chunky.)

ClockwerkBonnet · 04-14-20, 03:11 PM

Do you know what the cage temperatures are? Even if that doesn't help with all the problems you listed, it will give us a better idea on how the snake is doing.

craigafrechette · 04-15-20, 07:17 AM

The tank size has nothing to do with that behavior. Adult Cal Kings are fine in 40 breeders. It also has nothing to do with scale rot. Scale rot is caused by damp and/or dirty substrate. Nothing to do with enclosure size.

BlackKing Nacho · 04-23-20, 05:19 PM

like craig said, it has nothing to do with enclosure size. kings bite themselves when no food around AND temps are too hot. ambient should be about 81 degrees F. its too hot in your tank im assuming.