Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello,
I have a question about feeding. Yes I am new to this hobby, and yes I have read numerous care sheets, as well as reading what the hobbyist on this site have to say. (While you don’t all agree, I have learned much by your posts).
My question – and this sort of stems from the lengthy posts over the past couple of days concerning breeding size – how much food is sufficient for a young kingsnake.

I have read various answers to this, and am curious what those of you who have been in the hobby for some time believe. I’ve read that ‘power feeding’ is not the healthiest, but then I read things like ‘keep em well fed.’ OK, where does well fed end and power feeding begin?

I have a young goini (would you believe that he is 18”, almost afraid to mention that in light of … , and I believe he could eat most everyday if I let him – which I don’t! I am currently feeding him 3 pinkies every 5 to 7 days (yes, I have learned that I could go with bigger food). I guess I would like to have a big kingsnake someday, but I am in no hurry, and would like for my snake to be healthy. Can I feed him more, or is this sufficient? FYI – I am not currently inclined to breed my snake.

Thanks for you help.

Ray

PS. Hey Pastorpat, guess I could have used pastorray as my handle!

Yeah- There is alot of debate and I believe finally comes down to personnal preference and what works best for you.

I try to feed my neonates every 5-7 days also (usually closer to every 5).... Certain snakes grow quicker than others... ie. my corns grow alot quicker than my L. mexicana ssp.. I consider this alittle more than a maintenance diet, but not power feeding (I'd say every 3-4 days for young would be powerfeeding IMHO)... They'd live just fine if I fed them every 8-12 days, but for that first 6 months I like to give them alittle head start.

At 18" I would move your snake up to fuzzies (if not small hoppers)...L. getula are eatin' machines... just my opinion....

The longer you're in the hobby, the more you'll learn...reading alot helps (like you've been doing)...some of the stuff you read will be misinformation or just someone elses opinion (like my post)... There is still alot of room for our hobby to grow and alot of unanswered questions...

READ ALOT but use the knowledge as a "GUIDELINE"... It all comes down to what you are comfortable with and what the particular snake can handle. You see the snake everyday.. it's easy for people to preach from behind a computer or from a book... but in the end, it's still up to you.

Sorry I wasn't much of a help. Enjoy your snake- they are amazing creatures!

You were a great help, thanks!
I've gathered that there are guidelines, and snakes fall individually between the lines at times. I'll continue feeding every 5 days or so, but will move up in size.
Thanks!

Try 2 fuzzies and if he looks at you for more, get 3 next time. If he crawls off to his hide he has had enough. Show the pic! Welcome.
Todd Hughes

Thanks Todd,
Fuzzies and pictures coming soon.

Ray.

I think we already went over this question in the below posts. Isn't this tyhe same snake that keeps trying to eat your finger and you posted that it bothers you it would do that?

A snake that size needs a whole mouse. A pinky does not have the nutrients that a small mouse has. It has nothing to do with breeding or powerfeeding. Just what is healthy. If you fed the snake a couple meals of mice you would see it grow proactically overnight. This should tell you something. But you first should try adn and see.

If you continue feeding the snake pinkies it will have health issues, if it does not already. Stunted growth and lack of calcium will effect the snakes health later on. I think if you were only fed chicken broth, you might be healthy for a while, but growing up in your teens it will effect your health as an adult. Ressitance to desease and not being able to reach a heathly size as an adult is the end effect of the snake future. Putting snakes on any kind of diet restrictions is bad.

Sorry, you have me confused with another poster. My snake has never tried to bite me. So far he's as gentle as a lamb. However, point taken, and his next meal will be fuzzies or hoppers.

Thanks,
Ray.

Rainer, that was Captotterboy with his calking. I understand what your say though. I have a pair of Pyros that seem to only like small mice, especially the female. They are a couple years old, and they are nowhere near breding size yet. RayT3 has a young Goini. Ray, you should have said like 17 1/2 inches. I really get some great info from here. Thanks Everybody. Derek

Derek,

you're right, 18" was just asking for it! LOL!
I have enjoyed the discussion about it, though, and learned much from it.

Ray.