This is my first post and I’m a new, novice king snake owner. I have a baby Cali-King that refuses to eat frozen mice. When I first got him he ate one frozen pinky that I gave him, but since then he refuses to eat non-live mice. He has no hesitation eating live fuzzies, but the frozen are much more accessible to me. I’m thoroughly thawing them out before feeding him, and heating them up under the heat lamp for a few minutes before dropping them in. I’ve attempted to stimulate him by wiggling the fuzzy by the tail with my wooden tongs without success. I’d appreciate any tips for getting my Cali-King to eat frozen mice. He’s less than 6 months old. He’s about 15-17 inches in length. I feel he has an adequate heating range, a 10 gallon tank, a good hiding place, and he’s drinking water. He’s eating - just not eating frozen. Thanks.
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Cali-King not eating frozen mice.
Replies (3)
I'd try putting the king in a deli cup or small container with the food item so he has to just focus on the food and leave him alone this might work.
Josh Delaney
Delaney Colubrids
Many times, a snake won't eat a F/T prey item because it isn't moving, true enough!, also a live mouse will move around at ground level on the substrate, so the snake is totally focused on it's movement usually triggering a strike/feeding response. But many times when a younger snake sees your "gigantic" hand in the presence of offering the prey, they get "spooked" sometimes.....so try(if you don't already have one)a hide box put in the cage with (solid deli cup, whatever) and let the snake be for a day. Then, make sure he is in the hide box when you attempt to feed him. Then, as gently, and uninteruptive as humanly possible take the lid off, then place the prey at the opening of the hide box(face first), have a very thin,long piece of wire/coathanger,whatever, and gently move/twitch the prey!!, more often than not they will answer the "front door" with a bang!!!! this works wonders on "spooky" snakes.....Also, make absolutely positive that the pinkies/fuzzies are wormed up VERY SLOWLY!!!, as this can drastically change the scent of the rodent to them!.....if your temps are around 79-83, it should feel comfortable.......follow this to the letter, and you should get some good results!!,...........................Doug
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Better to be silent and thought a fool, than to open mouth and remove any doubt!
Well, you could offer it at the entrance of the hide when he's in it. Cause if its warm, he'll think oh a live mouse, and take it right away. Leaving the mouse in overnight works too, but make sure you remember to remove it the next day as rotten mice smell something very aweful. Once he starts taking them don't revert back to live or he might get picky again, although this usually is'nt the case its better to be safe than sorry.
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-J.Hill
