Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey everyone...

I've had a baby Pacific Gopher snake for a about a month now and had some basic questions. He/She is less than a foot long and about 4 ounces. He's in a 10 gallon with a heat pad (continuous)and 60 watt day light blue bulb (on only in the day)-both on same side. Runs about 85 at night on the side with the substrate and 65 on the other. I have the heat pad on a dimmer at about 75% which get's me my 85 degrees at night. Using Ecoearth Coconut stuff.

1) Been feeding him a pinky mouse once a week. Is that enough? I was reading some people feed there gopher's a few. Basically, how do i know if he's had enough or if i should decide to feed him more than 1.

2)I have a long hide (the common hollowed out log)that's half on the heat pad and half on the cold. Is that okay? I've read where they recommend two hides at opposite sides to aid in regulation. I could literally cut the hide into two and put one on each side but I think this looks better.

3) When I get home (6pm) he's usually curled up in the hide. But i know he's been around because there's substrate in the water. I try to handle him as much as i can cause I don't want him to be scared of me but not sure he likes me lifting the hide and snatching him out.

4) Should I worry about humidity? He's never shed yet.

Thanks any suggestions!

Baby Pacific Gopher Snake Feeding

Better nate than lever, correct?

As it has been several months since you posted your message. How are things going with the little (or not so little Pacific) now?

My YOY snakes currently include a Sonoran and a San Diego (both type locality specimens, not designer morphs). I do not offer large meals often but I will occasionally challenge their appetites with multiple food items of similar size. In the wild, should they discover a mouse or vole nest with multiple pinks or fuzzies, you had better believe that they will not eat just one and then move on. To a degree, they are used to feast and famine cycles. In captivity, we have sterilized that cycle somewhat, but I am of the opinion that growing snakes need to feed often (at least weekly) and sometimes on the heavy side. My neos shed about monthly to six weeks apart during the first season. Gophers are easy and lots of fun to keep.