Fur-Phobic Snake?!?!?

[BeauBoi]

Ok, so I just got my first king snake. She is albino striped California King. The young woman I got her from had about 40 snakes of varying species, so I listened intently as she discussed why she was giving up the snake on Craigslist (which is where I found her for $40).

The woman said that she decided to let her go, because she had originally purchased her for breeding purposes, but that at the age of 1.6 years she didn't thing the snake was growing fast enough to be a breeder. The snake is 23 inches long and 58 grams. I was told that she is 1.6 years old.

She went on to tell me that she was feeding the snake 2 rat pinkies/once a week and that she alternated every other week with "Reptilinks" (which are made of deer meat?!?)

SO.....I thought to myself it might be the a case of the snake being a "slow-grower" due to the diet she had been fed.

As I said, this is my first California King, but I have a good deal of experience with rat snakes, and I just didn't think that the snake was being fed anywhere near enough.

When I got her home, and after she had settled in a few days, feeding day rolled around. I was still waiting for my shipment from RodentPro and fuzzier were all I had in the freezer. So I gave her 3 fuzzies and she sucked them down in less than 4 minutes and still didn't have much of a lump! It left me feeling really positive that I could help this snake grow!

Until my RodentPro order came in. Seven days after the first feeding I offered her a defrosted and warm hopper.....absolutely NO interest...even after I brained it. So, just to see, I offered a fuzzie, yep! She snapped it right up begging for more! Offered her another mouse.....nothing....

Is there such a thing as a fur-phobic snake? Does anyone have any suggestions? I am baffled!

Thanks in advance!
Beau

[Aaron_S]

No clue. I've never heard of it but it was only a one time thing. I wouldn't worry about it until it happens more frequently.

[Minkness]

Honestly, it could be a size thing. Innoticed that my kingsnake only liked smaller, less fuzzy prey as well. She would even take a rat pink but not a mouse hopper. So she got fed mouse fuzzies and rat pinks, which for me anyway, were about the same size. I would keep her on rat pinks and see if you can get some weight on her that way.

Also, I tried doing smaller more often feedings, and found that was a good way to maintain size, but for real growth, I noticed that larger meals every 5-7 days was better. At one point, my kingsnake slammed down THREE rat pinks, and she was about the same size as yours.

[BeauBoi]

Thanks to those who replied! I appreciate all input!
I have her eating 3 fuzzies every 5 days right now. She won't eat a hopper even if it is fuzzie-size, so I am going to try rat fuzzies next week...
I will keep yall posted!
~Beau