My new king, Pretzel - Page 2

Tango · 09-11-12, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kettennatter

I have two males, and I have yet to experience musking. When I had to clean a nasty enclosure while one was in shed I just saw tail rattling for the first time.

IHMO you are far more likely to get pooped on.

Well, that's good to hear!

LOL - my corn poops on me all the time. I think he saves it up as a present.

Kingsnakechris · 09-11-12, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tango

Yep, that's what I was thinking it was. LOL! I'll be prepared, and I'm actually thinking I'd prefer the bite!

Well, I dont know if mine is male or female. I dont ever intend to breed, so I dont care really. I get him out every day and so far, he's lunged at me through the glass, hissed and did the tail rattle. He has never struck at me, either.

The shelter told me the previous owner said he is eight-years-old. I dont know if that is true.

He seems a bit small to be 8. My female is 2 1/2 years old and she's pushing 4 ft. Or so, she's thin but healthy. My male just turned 4 years old and he's a fatty, he outgrew mice and I have to get him small adult rats. He's pushing 5 ft. And his temper is pushing 20 ft LOL

Kettennatter · 09-11-12, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tango

Yep, that's what I was thinking it was. LOL! I'll be prepared, and I'm actually thinking I'd prefer the bite!

Well, I dont know if mine is male or female. I dont ever intend to breed, so I dont care really. I get him out every day and so far, he's lunged at me through the glass, hissed and did the tail rattle. He has never struck at me, either.

The shelter told me the previous owner said he is eight-years-old. I dont know if that is true.

Three feet seems small for and adult king. I would expect around 4' and up. But it is possible, king snakes show a lot of variation. Mine (yumensis) has to be pushing 5' and he still seems to be growing. Oddly enough I've never heard him hiss. He only has a very strong feeding response.

Tango · 09-11-12, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kingsnakechris

He seems a bit small to be 8.

They told me that it was because he was kept in a small enclosure, but that isn't true for snakes, right?

It was a dog and cat shelter, so I'm just happy they helped the snake. I completely understand that their knowledge wouldn't be at the level it is here.

Kingsnakechris · 09-11-12, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tango

They told me that it was because he was kept in a small enclosure, but that isn't true for snakes, right?

It was a dog and cat shelter, so I'm just happy they helped the snake. I completely understand that their knowledge wouldn't be at the level it is here.

Yes, at least they took him in, as far as growing in relation to enclosure size I'm not sure. I have never kept one in an enclosure that was to small lol.

Kettennatter · 09-11-12, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kingsnakechris

Every kingsnake I have ever owned rattled their tail. It's funny to see my male do it just because of his size, He's so big, his tail doesn't go that fast but he tries!! Lol

I misses out on the hissing and the musking. Lol My other king (Greeri) is actually calmer than my corns, and I just got him.

Kettennatter · 09-11-12, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kingsnakechris

Yes, at least they took him in, as far as growing in relation to enclosure size I'm not sure. I have never kept one in an enclosure that was to small lol.

It is my understanding that the caloric intake determines the size more than the enclosure. Something that Jlassiter would know for sure.

Kingsnakechris · 09-11-12, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kettennatter

I misses out on the hissing and the musking. Lol My other king (Greeri) is actually calmer than my corns, and I just got him.

I've had ONE corn. Mean mean mean! I didn't think corns had a nasty attitude but that's a perfect example of snakes not all being the same regardless of species lol

Tango · 09-11-12, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jlassiter

give him plenty of choices

Like both mice and small rats in a rotation?

Kingsnakechris · 09-11-12, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kettennatter

It is my understanding that the caloric intake determines the size more than the enclosure. Something that Jlassiter would know for sure.

Yeah, Ive read about that but I haven't really put to much thought into it lol. My snakes are all growing nicely and they have room to spare in their tubs. I use the clear tubs and UTH's. Very inexpensive, easy to modify them, and very quick cleaning. They are also very spacious and for the price you can't go wrong!

Kingsnakechris · 09-11-12, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tango

Like both mice and small rats in a rotation?

He may be a little small for small rats just yet, some never get big enough for them, I usually see them get big enough to eat big adult mice but that's about it. My male is the first one I've had thats big enough to eat rats. I'm going to start incorporating chicks to his diet soon, You can always try feeding him feeder lizards and what not, if he takes to them.

Jlassiter · 09-11-12, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tango

Like both mice and small rats in a rotation?

No....mice all the time is fine.

Choices are humidity and temperature gradients, many places to hide (Deep Aspen).

Never force it to be at one temp or one humidity level.....
Provide him choices and he will choose where to be when he needs to....

Jlassiter · 09-11-12, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kettennatter

It is my understanding that the caloric intake determines the size more than the enclosure. Something that Jlassiter would know for sure.

You are correct.....Caloric intake and husbandry techniques.
They will outgrow an enclosure....unlike goldfish.....lol

Kettennatter · 09-11-12, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kingsnakechris

He may be a little small for small rats just yet, some never get big enough for them, I usually see them get big enough to eat big adult mice but that's about it. My male is the first one I've had thats big enough to eat rats. I'm going to start incorporating chicks to his diet soon, You can always try feeding him feeder lizards and what not, if he takes to them.

My male also started on mice. I realized that he was ready when he would inhale a mouse in under a minute and seemed to be ready for more, stopping after three of them. He seemed noticeably more mellow after switching him to rats.

As long as Pretzel eats mice, he should be good to go at this stage.

Kingsnakechris · 09-11-12, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kettennatter

My male also started on mice. I realized that he was ready when he would inhale a mouse in under a minute and seemed to be ready for more, stopping after three of them. He seemed noticeably more mellow after switching him to rats.

As long as Pretzel eats mice, he should be good to go at this stage.

Yeah, he started on mice but he will not under any circumstances eat F/T or fresh killed...he only eats live period. Well, he was starting to "pop" the mice when he constricted them so I figured (on top of hue big he was getting) it may be time to take the prey item up a few sizes. He loves the rats, he gets very exited when he's about to get it, I love it when he gets perfectly lined up and holds absolutely still and gives that stare right before the strike... Very cool to see him in feeding mode. I'd prefer F/T (less risk) but he won't touch em.