Reptile & Amphibian Forums

First off I would like to say that I am new to keeping snakes. I have had a few in FL and now I have caught this female in GA. I am a US Army Ranger and currently an instructor we play with lots of snakes from diamondbacks to pine snakes. I raised leopard geckos before my last tour in Iraq so I am not completely new to reptiles.

This girl is beautiful she is down in her log right now or I would include a pic, maybe tomorrow. She has shed twice since June no problems either time. She has also eaten two of the frozen artic mice, but has refused them since September. She is still currently active, and likes to soak. The hot side of her 40 gal. aquarium is about 79 deg. and she spends most of her time on the cold side or in the middle. Her skin is perfect, her eyes bright and alert. I am presently using repti carpet, but will switch to aspen bedding as I see this is the perferred substrate. I will include pics of her setup tomorrow as well.

I am getting worried she is getting thinner and still only plays around with the mice I give her. Should I try lizards/frogs? I plan to take her to the vet and have her checked out. If all else fails I will have to release her back into the wild, I really don't want to do that with her in her present state and winter already well under way.

Any help would be greatly appreciated...

Thanks

Tim
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"I'd still rather spend the day with an animal than most people I know"
LEOs: 6.9.0
1.3 High Yellows-Barney,Betty,?,?
2.0 Hypo Tangerines-Bam-bam,Rex
0.3 HCT's -Journey,Wiggy,Lil'bit
1.1 SHTCT's-Fred and Wilma
1.0 Rescued Normals -Shleprock
1.3Tremper Albinos -Mr.Slate,?,?,?
1.0 Tang Tremp Albino - Rocky

Well if she is thin this info might be a little late. This time of year most captive kingsnakes want to brumate (hibernate) and wildcaught ones like you have will definetly shut down. They just go off food. It is no surprise and is normal. SO, you need to cool him/her right away or the snake will eat up its reserves and will not make it through the process. What you king is doing is totally natural and normal and is supposed to happen.

Turn off the heat and put the snake in a dark closet with water for a couple months. Then in march heat it up and it will eat like crazy. Check on the snake every week while in brumation and make sure water is fresh and everthing looks fine. Check for mouthrot and any other abnormal things. Make sure the substrate is not getting moldy ect.

PS
AND,, before someone else mentions it. Taking, touching or removing eastern kings (or any snake) from GA is illegal. I would not go around mentioning it and never post that info on the internet. LOL!

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ÌÏËÙÍ ËÁÂE!

Bluerosy...who shamelessly takes every opportunity he can to post a picture of his Peabino.

Thank you Bluerosy, I did read about the brumation but was not sure how to go about it. I also didn't know about the law concerning Kings I will have to look it up.

She is not that thin and still quite active. I will shut her down and let her do what her instincts are telling her to. If you have any more info or books I could get that you think may help I would appreciate it.
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"I'd still rather spend the day with an animal than most people I know"
LEOs: 6.9.0
1.3 High Yellows-Barney,Betty,?,?
2.0 Hypo Tangerines-Bam-bam,Rex
0.3 HCT's -Journey,Wiggy,Lil'bit
1.1 SHTCT's-Fred and Wilma
1.0 Rescued Normals -Shleprock
1.3Tremper Albinos -Mr.Slate,?,?,?
1.0 Tang Tremp Albino - Rocky

Here she is..

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"I'd still rather spend the day with an animal than most people I know"
LEOs: 6.9.0
1.3 High Yellows-Barney,Betty,?,?
2.0 Hypo Tangerines-Bam-bam,Rex
0.3 HCT's -Journey,Wiggy,Lil'bit
1.1 SHTCT's-Fred and Wilma
1.0 Rescued Normals -Shleprock
1.3Tremper Albinos -Mr.Slate,?,?,?
1.0 Tang Tremp Albino - Rocky

and again...

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"I'd still rather spend the day with an animal than most people I know"
LEOs: 6.9.0
1.3 High Yellows-Barney,Betty,?,?
2.0 Hypo Tangerines-Bam-bam,Rex
0.3 HCT's -Journey,Wiggy,Lil'bit
1.1 SHTCT's-Fred and Wilma
1.0 Rescued Normals -Shleprock
1.3Tremper Albinos -Mr.Slate,?,?,?
1.0 Tang Tremp Albino - Rocky

Last one...

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"I'd still rather spend the day with an animal than most people I know"
LEOs: 6.9.0
1.3 High Yellows-Barney,Betty,?,?
2.0 Hypo Tangerines-Bam-bam,Rex
0.3 HCT's -Journey,Wiggy,Lil'bit
1.1 SHTCT's-Fred and Wilma
1.0 Rescued Normals -Shleprock
1.3Tremper Albinos -Mr.Slate,?,?,?
1.0 Tang Tremp Albino - Rocky

She is not that thin and will be fine once you cool her down.

Concerning the activity you mentioned . This is not good. She is probably active looking for a cool spot. All this activity burns up calories and it is because she is looking to regualte herself. She knows what is going on outside and warm temps will not fool her. Cool her and leave her alone. A cool dark place like a closet will work if it is cool enough. Or try the garage if it is to warm in the house.
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ÌÏËÙÍ ËÁÂE!

Bluerosy...who shamelessly takes every opportunity he can to post a picture of his Peabino.

n/p
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"Better to be silent and thought a fool, than to open mouth and remove any doubt!"

Thank You for all your help she went into the closet with Aspen bedding and water today...
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"I'd still rather spend the day with an animal than most people I know"
LEOs: 6.9.0
1.3 High Yellows-Barney,Betty,?,?
2.0 Hypo Tangerines-Bam-bam,Rex
0.3 HCT's -Journey,Wiggy,Lil'bit
1.1 SHTCT's-Fred and Wilma
1.0 Rescued Normals -Shleprock
1.3Tremper Albinos -Mr.Slate,?,?,?
1.0 Tang Tremp Albino - Rocky

now find a male because she will be ready to breed in April.

What you are doing ..(cooling, cycling, brumating ect) is what breeders have to do to get there snakes to breed. By having a time out during the winter will cause the snakes to cycle. Now you will end up with several dozen by summers end.

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ÌÏËÙÍ ËÁÂE!

Bluerosy...who shamelessly takes every opportunity he can to post a picture of his Peabino.