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When feeding a king other snakes, what is the ratio of the cobras size to the the prey size. I have about a 9 foot king and am wondering how large the snakes I feed them can be. I have been cutting the snakes in half and its been fine, but just thinking, if I can get a bigger meal for more nutrition in her, i want to.
thanks for the help,
mike
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R.I.P Steve Irwin aka Crocodile Hunter
"Never insult an Alligator until you have crossed the river"-oriental proverb
Kings have rapid metabolisms and are very capable of swallowing prey the same size girth as themselves and taking down snakes nearly 3/4 of their length....but I wouldn't recommend meals that large in a captive setting. They metabolize food quickly and a healthy king is always foraging for food....of course, in a captive environment, you need to watch out for over feeding/obesity unless you keep them in large enclosures (which you should). A healthy king will be full bodies but not to the point where there is skin showing in between scales - that's NOT a good sign. Behavior is also an indication of good health - kings will have their down time but they should also show spurts of activity during the day.
My largest king, a 14-footer but still has a lot of years to grow, was weaned onto rats at an early age and after taking two jumbo sized rats, this snake is still searching for food. They are really amazing animals (and really stinky....like indigos).
Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center
>>When feeding a king other snakes, what is the ratio of the cobras size to the the prey size. I have about a 9 foot king and am wondering how large the snakes I feed them can be. I have been cutting the snakes in half and its been fine, but just thinking, if I can get a bigger meal for more nutrition in her, i want to.
>>
>>thanks for the help,
>>mike
>>-----
>>R.I.P Steve Irwin aka Crocodile Hunter
>>
>>"Never insult an Alligator until you have crossed the river"-oriental proverb
-----
Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
Lake Forest, IL
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