Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello everyone,

I just fed my baby Cali. King, and he swallowed the pinkie tail first..I've never seen this before, and I, would greatly appreciate any replies..It seems like it went down smoothly though...Next time should I offer it directly to him head first???
Thanks In Advance,
Aidan...

Mine cal used to do that when he was a baby. I think it's common. I have a baby mbk and a baby milk that do the same thing. They don't coil the pinks either. They swallow them alive.
-----

eat tail first head first and even in the middle and kinda fold it in half as they eat. I'm not aware of any side effects if they eat it tail first. Think your little king will be just fine.
-----
www.Wood-N-Snakes.com

The people should not fear thier government,
Their government should fear the people.

Thanks guys.. Next time should I offer it to him or let him take it by himself???
Aidan

don't change anything.. tail first is not an issue..

Every baby cal king I have ever had has done that at least once.
I've even seen big kings do it on occasion (well, foot first, not tail first), though usually they back off and look for the head.
-----
3.0 WC; 0.2 CB L. getula californiae
0.1 WC; 0.0.10 CH Elgaria multicarinata multicarinata

>>Hello everyone,
>>
>> I just fed my baby Cali. King, and he swallowed the pinkie tail first..I've never seen this before, and I, would greatly appreciate any replies..It seems like it went down smoothly though...Next time should I offer it directly to him head first???
>> Thanks In Advance,
>> Aidan...

I read or saw on TV recently that snakes determine which end of prey to swallow first based on the direction the fur pointed. Don't know if it's true or not, but it would explain why some snakes swallow pinkies butt first - no fur to tell them which end is which.

deg