Beginner Help

Jlassiter · 08-27-12, 01:18 PM

Two things I get out of reading these posts.....

If you want to learn from your snakes take into account what they are doing and why they are doing it.

These are just an outsider's view looking in. I do not know your set ups or husbandry techniques.

bcoop1234:
Your snake is always in the water because it is rehydrating itself due to dry air.
Do you use a heat lamp?
BTW....what is a "normal king?"
There are around 20 different subspecies to Lampropeltis.

Toronto1977:
Your king is rarely on the hot side because of two possible reasons.
1. There isn't a great thermal gradient difference from the cold to the hot side.
or
2. He is on the cool side conserving because he may need to be fed more.

And the comment about not having to be so specific is spot on.....
The best thing to do is to provide multiple choices including a thermal and humidity gradient and let the snake choose where it wants to be at any given time.

Not busting anyone's chops just trying to provide some input as to why snakes do what they do and how to learn from them....

I am sure your kings will live long, happy, captive lives with you.....

bcoop1234 · 08-27-12, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jlassiter

Two things I get out of reading these posts.....
bcoop1234:
Your snake is always in the water because it is rehydrating itself due to dry air.
Do you use a heat lamp?
BTW....what is a "normal king?"
There are around 20 different subspecies to Lampropeltis.

Sorry, I guess normal is really a bad term... I just mean normal black and white cal king.

No I don't use lamps, my mexican is in a 26qt tub using flexwatt... room temperature on the cool side, about 75 to 80 depending on time of day, and the warm side stays at a constant 84-85.

Jlassiter · 08-27-12, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bcoop1234

Sorry, I guess normal is really a bad term... I just mean normal black and white cal king.

No I don't use lamps, my mexican is in a 26qt tub using flexwatt... room temperature on the cool side, about 75 to 80 depending on time of day, and the warm side stays at a constant 84-85.

That IS a small gradient but getula are hardier than mexicana and montane kings.

My prefered set up is keeping my snake room at 72F and providing an isolated warm spot near 90F.
After my snakes eat they go to the hot spot to digest then return to the cool side when they feel the need to conserve. That is when they get their next meal.
Feeding frequency all Depends on the snakes size and the size of prey.

When they are growing they eat smaller prey and want to eat more often.
Smaller prey digests faster. All caloric intake at this time is put into growth.
They want to eat at least twice a week when they are young.

When they are adults they eat larger prey that takes longer to digest. You'll see adults wanting to eat around once a week. This is where the cookie cutter care sheets typically say once a week is perfect for all kings......Caloric intake is not used for growth when they are adults. It is used to sustain.

I say that a once a week feeding will keep a young snake alive but not allow it to thrive. A once a week feeding works well for adults, coincidentally but not well for growing colubrids.