How fast do california king snakes grow

Though they can grow up to 5 feet 1. It is nonvenomous and the most commonly bred and kept Kingsnake in captivity, so it makes a good pet for herpetoculturists of all levels. However, if your main reason behind wanting a California King is to have a cool-looking animal to pet all the time, consider a corn snake instead. California Kings are generally not aggressive but they tend to be on the nippy and nervous side. California Kingsnakes love meat. For California Kings in captivity, rodents make the best diet.

When feeding your California Kingsnake, consider using tongs to avoid accidental bites. You should choose between fresh killed or frozen thawed prey from a pet store or wholesaler.

When preparing a pre-killed animal for your pet, thaw it by running it under warm water or setting it in the sun. Take care not to let a pre-killed meal sit for too long, though, as harmful bacteria can start to form on it. Baby California Kingsnakes do well eating one pinky hairless newborn mouse once every week or so.

An appropriately sized meal is one that a is no larger than 1. Once your California Kingsnake has reached adult length you can feed it 1 — 2 large adult mice every week or two. Always feed your snake its prey animals one at a time and never leave live prey unattended in your snake cage for long. Snakes can get injured and sometimes die from prey bites and injuries. California Kingsnakes are a hardy species. Aside from normal snake diseases and health concerns, the California King has no special health requirements.

Like any other snake, there can be occasions when health issues arise. The following is a short summary of California Kingsnake diseases and disorders. California Kingsnakes are at risk for infections of the respiratory tract, like colds and pneumonia. If your snake holds its head up and mouth open, or emits a wheezing sound when breathing, seek veterinary assistance.

Sometimes if the condition is caught early, fixing the temperature gradient in the enclosure can effectively treat the cold. Are king snakes endangered? While the king snakes that are found in North America are not currently endangered, the population numbers of some of the species are decreasing.

There is a king snake species that is critically endangered, this is the Todos Santos Island king snake. This snake is very rare because it is only found on the island of Todos Santos, this most likely is one of the contibuting factors as to why this specific species is going extinct.

Do king snakes attack humans? As in all species, especially those of wildlife, if threatened they will attack. King snakes are no different. Obviously, if you come across a wild king snake you should avoid invading into its territory so as not to threaten it, bringing upon yourself an unwanted attack. Also with a pet king snake, you have given it a territory and a schedule of cleaning and feeding.

Avoid any unwanted attention or advancements towards your snake. Your snake will show threatening signs by emmitting a musk sound and shaking their tail. Do king snake bites hurt? It is important to note that all king snakes are non-venomous. While you may sincerely be shocked at being bitten by a king snake , they do not hurt. Of course, with punctures of the skin, there may be bleeding which should be seen to and taken care of immediately after the bite takes place.

Be sure to treat the wound with antiseptic and to keep a close eye on it for unwanted infection. After about a week, a young snake should adjust to its enclosure and become accustomed to a more interactive feeding approach. As the snake grows, larger food items can be given in the form of fuzzy mice, hoppers, weanlings and, finally, adult mice. A good rule of thumb when selecting prey is to offer food no larger than the widest part of the snake.

If your snake suddenly stops eating thawed mice, it may simply be reverting to older feeding habits. This can happen with both captive-bred and wild-caught juveniles that ate live meals for prolonged periods as hatchlings. Breeders frequently use a couple tricks to help induce the feeding response of stubborn eaters. Anoles, or other small lizards, can be rubbed on thawed or live mice to scent them. This may not sound pleasant, but brained pinkies are very appetizing to young snakes.

If a snake continues to refuse food, it may be an indication of a larger problem, and a qualified veterinarian should be consulted. Using unique animals collected from the wild as founder stock, many breeders have developed new color and pattern variations to delight kingsnake owners nationwide. After decades of devotion, many of these breeders have accomplished extraordinary results, and there is likely a color and pattern phase that can delight and appeal to almost anyone. This hatchling is a reverse double-striped high-white phase.

High-whites have black on the head and neck with varying degrees of white along the body. These animals also have a dark stripe along the top of the tail.

After a number of generations, these snakes were bred to equally unique specimens from Joshua Tree, Calif.

This is a primary characteristic of the animals derived from this line. These snakes often display a striking bright-white-against-black contrast in their banding patterns.

Animals from this lineage usually have a temperament more docile than some other common California kingsnake morphs. In California, for example, there are specific limits for wild collection of California kingsnakes.

Their captive breeding is also regulated in the state, and a propagation permit is required for those who wish to breed and sell California kingsnake offspring. Record when your snake sheds, eats and defecates. Nutritional problems usually do not arise in snakes feeding well. This is in large part because snakes consume their entire prey, bones and all. Refusal to eat, however, is often the first indicator of an underlying pathology.

It will help with diagnostics for the presence of parasites. Although California kingsnake care is largely straightforward, problems do occasionally arise. Caring for this attractive snake is not only easy but also very rewarding. With all the different colors available and their inquisitive personality, they offer keepers a royal experience all the way around.

Bartlett, R. Mader, D. Reptile Medicine and Surgery. These may include half-logs , cork flats , cork rounds , or pieces of grapewood. Climbing structures such as branches and additional furnishings can be added as needed.

These will add to the beauty of your terrarium and also serve as enrichment for your pet. Fake plants and fake caves add visual interest and variation to your cage that your snake will explore and enjoy. Always provide your king snakes with a clean, shallow bowl of water. The receptacle should be large enough to permit soaking, but huge bowls are not necessary.

The water should be checked daily, and replaced if low or fouled. California king snakes do not require much humidity, and typically fare just fine without any special considerations on the part of the keeper.

King snakes will feed readily on various sized mice for their whole lives. Babies will eat a pinky newborn mouse once a week, while adults will eat one large adult mouse on a similar schedule. Very large snakes should be given small rats as opposed to multiple mice for health reasons.