Reptile & Amphibian Forums

This is all new to me but I fell in love with a Black Mexican King.
I call him Raven he was 5yrs. when I bought him just recently.
I have since learned things I wish I had known before about the person I bought him from but I seem to have fixed the problem and he is the sweetest snake ever.
He had the start of some belly rot which I was told was because he was bit by a female (I know right at the butt area but what did I know??)The people also had him in a small cage and both people chain smoke like crazy!!
Anyway he now lives in a brand new 55 gal with a heat pad under the tank. I was told he needed no heat. He also has a hide box on the cool side as well on the warm.
I use newspaper but then put a layer of u-haul packing paper so its nice and white and I can see whats going on.
Since I got him I've been reading until my eyes feel like they are going to fall out.
Ok.. here is the stupid question...Why do I hear or read about so many people saying their snake will only eat a certain color mouse or rat?
Ravens Mom

Some snakes tend to "prey imprint" which means that they get used to a certain type of prey (color, smell, etc.) and are reluctant to eat anything else. Ball pythons are known for this type of behaviour. I, for example, have a ball that used to refuse dark colored rats. He also will NOT eat mice at all. I don't think I've ever heard of a kingsnake refusing food based on color, but it is possible. Are you having any problems feeding the snake?
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1.1.0 Hondurans Het Amel
1.1.0 Hondurans Anery, Het Hypo
0.1.0 Honduran Hypo
0.2.0 Pueblans
1.0.0 Pueblan Hypo
1.0.0 Thayeri MSP
0.0.1 GBK Blair's Phase
1.0.0 California King
0.1.0 California King Blue-eyed Blond
0.0.1 Speckled King WC
0.0.1 Jungle Carpet
0.1.0 Ball, Normal
0.0.1 Sulcata
0.1.0 Girlfriend, Caucasius Mexicana, Fiancee Phase

No, I have no problems with colors I have just read and heard this.
The only issues I have with Raven and eating is I have to give him 2 rat pups once a week.
He eats these well but if I give him larger mice he is terrible at holding them down and always seems to get bit, never bad but I don't want to take any chances. He has always been fed live by the guy before me who said he raised him from a hatchling.
I've been told I could stun the mouse first but I am unsure if I could stomach that.
Thank you for your insight and quick responce.

I would try to switch him over to frozen/thawed (F/T) mice if you can. You don't have to worry about parasites or the snake getting bit. They're also much easier to store in a freezer. Try scenting a F/T mouse with a live mouse before offering it to your snake.

I agree. I've had the occasional corn that was supposed to be live only and I haven't had that much trouble switching them to f/t by scenting with a live mouse. Good luck!
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0.1 Mexican Black King
1.0 Brooksi King
1.0 Japanese Bobtail
1.0 Maine Coon

My cal. king is WC. he ates the frozen/thawed just like he did the live ones. on the 1st time offer them to him.

the guys on here have a lot of good info. my cal. king is my frist snake. my hubby likes me feeding the frozen/thawed. so he dose not have to hear the mice pup crying out.