Reptile & Amphibian Forums

(I had originally posted in CA King forum but I'm sure the question applies to all Kings, so I'm re-posting here)
Hi all,
I'm new to this site. Actually, new to posting on this site. I've been reading up all I can since capturing a really fat CA King a couple of months ago after she wandered into my yard. She was very docile for a wild snake. My plan was to move her to a safer location with a stream and away from the neighborhood. Before I could do that, however, she left me 6 gifts! That explained why she was so fat. I thought she had ate another snake... So after doing some research on this site, I went down to the local reptile dealer and purchased the needed under tank heater, and thermostat control, vermiculite, etc. Well, now I have 4 hatch-lings and two to go... My question is, I know they will not eat until their first shed. I am just keeping the snakes in individual containers and there is no rocks or anything rough for them to rub against. My Corn snake uses rocks to shed properly. Do I need to put something in the individual containers? Thanks for your responses and sorry so long winded! I owe this site a great big thank you for giving me the knowledge and confidence to hatch these little beauties!
John

Hey there. Congrats on your successful hatching of babies!
You really won't need much abrasive items in their cage to aid with their initial shedding. They'll be fine without it. But putting something in there with a rough surface WOULD help of course. Just make sure you remember to disinfect any items you bring in from outdoors to ensure no transfer/s of local diseases.

Zee

-----
"I am an expert on everything, but I know so little and have so much to learn!" -Carsten "Zee" Zoldy-

Zee is right, you don't need much, but it would be easier. If you get a real small rock for each one, or a small dead stick. The rocks could be put in some boiling water for a few minutes. I bleach min, then wash and dry it for a few days, but boiling will do it. Sticks can be wrapped in aluminum foil, an put in the oven for a 1/2 hour at 300. If they are real small stick, less time is required. You got lucky with that gravid snake. I have had snakes eat seconds out of the egg. I don't know if that is right or wrong to do that, but I tried and it worked. They did not show any ill effects. Baby kings can be tough to get eating. If you have any problems, don't get discouraged, it is not that bad, just post on here, and you'll get plenty of help. Some babies won't eat for weeks after hatching. Good luck! Derek

Do they all look that nice??? Derek

Ditto that! That's a great looking hatchling! Getting them to eat out of the egg is a great bonus but many do not. A crumpled up paper towel with a damp corner can go far for the first shed. They may eat before that first shed just feed a super small meal as to not intimidate them! Good luck and welcome!
Todd Hughes

Todd, you have some nice kings also. I don't have any cal kings, but they are nice. Derek

Thanks, Derek, these are my second group and are grawing like weeds. Not as nippy as the first group I had that were traded and I like the abberant high whites a lot. May get some spotteds next!
Todd Hughes

Thank you! Number 4 just emerged from it's egg. They all look very similar with only slight variations to their bands. Color wise there is no difference. Thanks for the tip about the rocks, I have some decorative rock in our flower beds I can boil. On that note, how important is it to keep the snakes sterile? Does this mean it's not a good idea to ever take them outside? Thanks for your help!
John

Taking your snakes outside is fine. You don't have to keep them sterile. You just don't want any foreign parasites or bugs in you controled enclosure. I had a stick that had wood mites that got in my cage, they didn't cause a problem to the snake at all, but they were just annoying. I have taken big rocks from outside, and just washed them in my dishwasher. I haven't ever had problems that way, just with my wife. Just kidding. Derek

> I have taken big rocks from outside, and just washed them in my
> dishwasher. I haven't ever had problems that way, just with my
> wife.

Yeah, the wives generally don't like to be washed in the dishwasher.
-----
3.0 WC; 0.2 CB L. getula californiae
0.1 WC; 0.0.10 CH Elgaria multicarinata multicarinata

Very nice.

What is the locale of the snakes?
-----
Peter Jolles
East Coast Colubrids
www.eastcoastcolubrids.com

These snakes are in Galt, CA which is located about 25 miles south of Sacramento. CA Kings are pretty abundant around here. This is the third one I've rescued from possibly being run over which is where we see most of them unfortunately. There are also foot hills about 10-15 miles east of here where lots of rattlesnakes live.