First pet snake

jesirose · 09-29-2009, 08:55 AM

I'm picking up my first pet snake today. It's a male california kingsnake hatchling. I have a 20 gallon long tank for him.

Any advice from other snake owners? I read to leave him alone for a week to let him settle in before I try to handle him and feed him.

MiaBella Farm · 09-29-2009, 09:10 AM

Yes, we had Red Tail Boa Constrictors for a few years...let him/her settle in before handling. Also, we never fed LIVE rats...my husband bought them frozen, then we would defrost them in a bowl of warm water, then warm them up before feeding. Believe it or not...live rats can bite your snake and injure or kill it.

OH and make sure it is in a secure cage! Put weight on top if you have to, they are escape artists...our male Boa was hiding in my desk for 8 months! He was still alive when we found him...a bit thin, but still alive! PROOF that they can live a long time without food! Good luck with your new snake.

Jen D · 09-29-2009, 09:19 AM

Same advise I would of gave from above, but watch the fingures when feeding because as you know they can't see well and may get your hand. happened to me a few times I had the same snake I love them! What is the name, mine was named Sally?

MiaBella Farm · 09-29-2009, 09:30 AM

Oh, I should mention that we used tongs to feed the snakes, never our hands.

Jen D · 09-29-2009, 09:49 AM

Another good tip from MiaBella, where was this forum when I had my snake?

jesirose · 09-29-2009, 10:55 AM

I'm going to use frozen mice. I used to have pet rats and mice, and I don't believe in live feeding anyway

I got a screen and clamps for the top of the tank.

Why do you need tongs? Can't you drop the food before the snake is near your hand? Like, drop it in the other end? Or will he not find it?

His name right now is Bones (b/c of his markings), but to me Bones is Dr. Brennan on Bones. I'm thinking of renaming him to Booth, since he's a boy.

MiaBella Farm · 09-29-2009, 01:07 PM

We used tongs to hold the warm rat close to the snakes nose until they got the hang of feeding time. After awhile, yes you can place the warm rat in the cage near the snake and they will eat it, but for young snakes, they need a little help at first.

jesirose · 09-29-2009, 01:11 PM

Okay thanks! I'm so excited. I got his tank all set up. Just waiting on the breeder to let me know I can come by!

MiaBella Farm · 09-29-2009, 01:16 PM

You know...there are snake forums you could check out:

http://www.reptileforums.com/forums/...splay.php?f=16

http://forums.kingsnake.com/forum.php?catid=65

Just in case you have more "in depth" questions...

jesirose · 09-29-2009, 02:04 PM

Thanks! The only one I had found was the kingsnake.com one and I can't read it, it's too messy and complicated.

Kuma'sMom · 09-30-2009, 01:15 PM

Oh, that's so exciting, I love Kingsnakes, your's is so beautiful!

Katzyn · 09-30-2009, 01:21 PM

Use tongs also to make the snake believe it IS alive. Wiggling it around is much more appealling to a predator, rather than letting it just sit there, looking dead (because it IS dead!).

My geckos never attack/eat anything that isn't moving, alive or not. But make it move, and they'll chase it down.