Reptile & Amphibian Forums

There have a few posts this year about hatchling cal kings being difficult to get feeding.

While I don't doubt it - I'd just like to report that from my very late clutch, 3 are out of the egg and 2 are pipping.

The three that are out of the egg have not shed yet - but all three of them are in the process of consuming live day old pinkies.

I don't know what causes some clutches to be poor feeders - but this one isn't. I almost wonder if there are some localities that tend not to feed as well on pinkies out of the egg.
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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

Wow! Great news! Like you I wonder if the unwillingness to accept pinkies depends on locale in Cal babies from WC parents.

reako45

If I'm right - the frequency of problem feeders will increase.

If it is a genetic thing - then in some places, baby kings that are less likely to prey on rodents as hatchlings are more likely to survive - because the invasive rodents in this state are much more aggressive than the native rodents, and more likely to kill a neonate trying to scarf one of their babies.

Thus, we may witness (well, over time) a shift in wild cal kings to where they become as problematic as the mountain kings. Just my guess.
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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

Interesting. I have never read about/studied non-native rodents in the state. I wonder if that would affect other snakes as well, say, gophers. Any documentation of non-native rodent species pushing out native rodent species in competition for similar habitat?

reako45

I don't know that they are necessarily pushing the native rodents out, as to some extent, they have different diet/habitat. I only see european house mice in the communities - but both house mice and deer mice are seen under boards I flip.

Not sure what effect it will have on gopher snakes, they can hatch pretty big and aggressive though.
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3.3.5 L. getula californiae
1.0 L. getula nigrita
1.0 Boa constrictor constrictor (suriname, fostering/rescue)
2.1.2 Elgaria multicarinata multicarinata

Of course - my notion of natural selection possibly shifting the typical feeding habits is all hypothetical, it's what I think might be happening - no proof or evidence.
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3.3.5 L. getula californiae
1.0 L. getula nigrita
1.0 Boa constrictor constrictor (suriname, fostering/rescue)
2.1.2 Elgaria multicarinata multicarinata

Interesting. Observed several mice under flip boards, but don't know the differences between deer and Euro housers. Hmmm... something new to learn to keep me busy during the lean winter mos. Good post.

reako45