Reptile & Amphibian Forums

So I adopted a 50/50 banded Cal King from someone who was moving abroad for work. He's in a 10 gallon tank and is about 24", eating one fuzzy twice a week. His tank has a heating pad on one side, nice hide spots, aspen bedding, water dish, climbing tree and a water bowl. This is my first snake but I've been reading up and trying to learn all I can and so far seem to be doing things right. I've had him for about 3 weeks and have a few noob questions you guys can help me with:

1. He spends about half his time hiding/sleeping but the other half *very* active, usually trying to escape (I think). He moves around his cage, climbs up the glass to the top, then falls over and does it again. For hours. He doesn't seem to get the concept of glass. Is this normal and should I be concerned that he might hurt himself?

2. Very rarely he will 'freak out' and go a bit spastic like he gets spooked or something. He'll *run* around his cage extremely quickly for a short time.

3. I've considered getting a larger cage. Although I've read that kings don't need climbing elements, this guy loves his tree. Should I opt for a high tank to give him more things to play on?

4. I inherited some vitamin spray. Does anyone actually use this stuff on their snakes?

Thanks for your advice!

All the items you mentioned sound very normal and reasonable to me, having had a Cal King for quite some time. I observed the same behavior in a similar set-up when he was about the age and size of your snake. He climbed a branch and occationally fell off but they're tough and are built to take it. He would shoot around in fast gear when younger like yours, all normal behavior as long as you have all the bases covered in terms of fresh water, regular feedings, and the right temperatures. I picked up a reptile vitamin spray years ago when he was young, and now and then would spray him lightly, not on his face or head, and he didn't seem to mind and I think it helped him. I upgraded after a few years to a 40 gal. breeder tank as he approached a larger size and I felt it best for him to have more room to spread out. You may want to do the same. Best of luck, and enjoy your new snake.
Jim