Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have in my posession a kingsnake that a gardener mistook for a coral snake and bashed it with a shovel breaking his back. He then relized his mistake and brought it to a pet store who gave it to me. It was not moving from the break down. I force fed him a pinkie and he didnt go to the bathroom for seven weeks. My girlfriend put him in water for an hour a day and strengthened his muscles and after several weeks he can move about extreamly well. He seems active and healthy now. Last time he ate I force fed him an anole. I can't get him to eat on his own. He's from somewhere around Santa Monica, Ca. What would he be eating in the wild or what should I feed him to get him to eat on his own?

Thats a zonata pulchra. Very rare if it came from the Santa Monicas. It is protected species in Calif and especially the ones from Santa Monica area. I will email more info and what to do with it.

They are primarily lizard feeders. This time of year they may go into brumation (off feed) ven though they may be warm where you keep it in the house. I suggest cooling it if it has good weight. Post a pic for us to see or lets correspond via email.

Rainer

I'll take a pic and send it to you. This IS my first "wild" snake. Thank you again.

I am very familiar with Calif Mountain Kings so i will add some more info:

These snakes are very secretive and exeersing it in a water bowl is just adding to the stress of THIS particular species of snake. This is a snake and not a pet like a hamster, dog or any other animal. They have completely different needs and biology than you can imagine. For instance they they like to cram themselves into the tightest spot imaginable(like rock crevices) and they tunnle underground most of the year. I suggest:

#1 don't,, DO NOT not handle the snake anymore. Its been through enough stress from the swimming excecises and handling from your gf. What you think is healthy for such an animal is actually quite unhealthy.

#2 put a box stuffed with cardboard (crumpled up)in the cage so the snake can jam itself in real good. This will create the security the snake needs to feed (But i still think its to late in the year to feed)zonatas are notorious for going off feed in sept/oct. this snake has and its the season outside (not heat) that dictates to the snake to stop feeding. Hopefully it will have enough reserves to make it through tyhe winter or else it will starve. #3 PLEASE do not force feed the snake anymore.

How long have you had it?

I've had it since august 2nd. If I hadn't force fed it it would have died. The snake was at deaths door and I nursed it back to health. I understand it is endangered in so cal but it would be dead otherwise and as far as the hamster comment, I have 2 burmese, 5 Boas, 8 corns, and a Ball. I just need to know what it eats naturally. Thanks for the advice about cramming itself into tight spaces to feed.

zonatas are NOT the same as other snakes like boas, pythons and corns. It probably shut down in august (some will do that) and force feeding is not an option. Instead keeping the snake cool (40-50F) for the winter so that it will slow down its metabolism so its fats reserves are not takien up.

Most all pulchra re great feeders if given lizards. If not, then its seasonal or husbandry. In your case it might have been due to recovery from the injury it went off feed.

Next spring you should try and swithc the snake over to lizard scented mice.

Sorry if I cam across wrong about the hamster comment as well.

Sorry if that came accross wrong. I apreciate the help.

In all honesty - I would start talking to wildlife places about donating it - sometimes fish & game can be over zealous when they hear about mountain kings.

I believe in your location, any collection is strictly forbidden.

I understand it would have died otherwise, but some LE are not so sympathetic.

Whatever you do, never mention the name of the pet store to anyone. Even though it wasn't sold to you, the pet store might get into some deep doodoo for not turning it over to fish and game.
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3.3 L. getula californiae
1.0 L. getula nigrita
1.0 Boa constrictor constrictor (suriname, fostering/rescue)
2.1.2 Elgaria multicarinata multicarinata

FunkyRes is right. F&G (especially in calif) can be the most heartless law enforcment officers ever. They just care about the bust to support their jobs. They don't care that the laws are written wrong. In Calif ALL zonata spp are protected. The problem is we know know the MK desiities are huge and they are not even close to be thereatened , endangered or anything. Old law from when some commercial collectors started damaging rocks in S.D. county and someone complained. Then calif decided to make ALL zonata illegal. Today we have tried to change legislation but true to deregulation , its always easier to regulate make new laws, than to remove them from the books. SO knowbody is accusing you of being imoral or ethically wrong. Its the laws in Calif that are wrong.

Buy Brian Hubbs new book on mountain kingsnakes. It is the most exhaustive book on mountain kings there is.