New friend California king snake

smcc · 12-30-19, 03:59 PM

Any tips for my new rescue coming to me today or tomorrow.

craigafrechette · 12-30-19, 04:02 PM

Cal Kings are awesome snakes. They're extremely hardy and easy to keep too.

Can you tell me about your setup?

smcc · 12-30-19, 06:05 PM

She is coming in a 10 gallon I have no idea what size she is but I have a 20 long set up and ready after she has a couple days to relax from the move. I have Aspen bedding/substrate a large branch if she feels the need to climb up a little bit I have weights clamps I have three hides one water dish I have a heat mat with a temperature gauge so it doesn’t get too hot on one side and the other side of the tank it is cooler the temperature on the warmer side is that about 80 and the temperature on the cooler side is about 75. I have Aspen bedding a large branch if she feels the need to climb up a little bit I have weights clamps I have three hides one water dish.

craigafrechette · 12-30-19, 07:22 PM

All sounds good. I personally don't like aspen at all, but it does work well for Kings since they don't have high humidity requirements. Just a personal preference.

Depending on her size, I might put her in the 20 gallon right away. I would try to get the stress out of the way all in one swoop, like pulling off a band-aid. Then let her settle for a week or so before offering food.

Do you have other snakes still? I think I saw that you had boas in your other thread...if so make sure you quarantine very diligently.

And Kings are amazing escape artists and can fit through holes smaller than you might imagine. So make super sure the enclosure is 100% escape proof.

smcc · 12-31-19, 11:38 PM

This is my only snake right now I have crested geckos, toads, salamanders, and fish. I have Gaia in a 20 long and she didn’t eat for 2 weeks she had two pinkies and she was very fine with handling she had pinkie mouse and was very happy after 😊

craigafrechette · 01-01-20, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smcc

This is my only snake right now I have crested geckos, toads, salamanders, and fish. I have Gaia in a 20 long and she didn’t eat for 2 weeks she had two pinkies and she was very fine with handling she had pinkie mouse and was very happy after 😊

I'm sorry, I'm not trying to be rude, but I really have no idea what that last, long, run on sentence is saying.

Are you saying she hadn't eaten in two weeks? But before that she had two pinkies? Then you fed her a pinkie?

I swear I'm not trying to be rude, I just want to have accurate info in case you have questions moving forward. Thanks for understanding.

smcc · 01-01-20, 09:26 PM

Sorry I was using voice to text. The people who had her before hadn’t fed her in 2 weeks so I followed the advice of one of my snake owner friends and gave her 2.

craigafrechette · 01-02-20, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smcc

Sorry I was using voice to text. The people who had her before hadn’t fed her in 2 weeks so I followed the advice of one of my snake owner friends and gave her 2.

Ok gotcha. Thank you for understanding and clearling that up for me.

Did you happen to weigh her?

smcc · 01-02-20, 06:04 PM

Not yet she is still stressed

craigafrechette · 01-02-20, 06:35 PM

I wouldn't be in a hurry to double up on prey just to catch up. Without knowing her weight it's tough to say if two is too many for now. I'd be more inclined to play it safe than over feed and risk regurgitation.

Kings have extremely fast metabolisms so feeding smaller meals more frequently is best for them as juveniles.

But like I said, without knowing her size I can't say whether it was too large a meal or not.

smcc · 01-03-20, 06:13 PM

She is 32 grams and 21 inches long. According to the previous owner she is 2 years old. Isn’t that too small for a 2 year old snake?

craigafrechette · 01-04-20, 12:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smcc

She is 32 grams and 21 inches long. According to the previous owner she is 2 years old. Isn’t that too small for a 2 year old snake?

32 grams is definitely small for a two year old King. I would ease into feeding a bit though and give her stomach a chance to catch up a bit rather than over feeding. You definitely don't want to over do it too quickly and have her regurge.

Two pinkies actually sounds perfect. I'd give her 7 days and offer again. Once she eats a few times in a row with no issue you could move her to every 5 days until she gets closer to 100 grams.
She should be ready for fuzzies soon too. She could probably handle one now, but like I said I'd go slow at first.

Good luck!! Kings are awesome, I'm sure you'll enjoy her.