Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello,

I have had my first snake for 5 days now and have a few questions that I hope someone can answer.

In the enclosure I have wood chips for substrate, which is nice looking and all, but my king is always buried in it, and therefore I never see it. It this normal for these snakes or is it still scared/shy/etc? Would it be a bad thing if I took out the wood and just put in astroturf, so I can see my snake occationally?

When I hold it, most of the time it tries to go to the ground, even if it will fall to do so. Is this due to not used to being handled, or do they not like being handled at all?

Is there a really good/thorough book on kings that gives more insight than just the basic care information?

Thanks,
Scorpantula

#1....That is one beautiful Brooksi.
#2....It is not unusual for a snake to bury itself. It feels more secure when it hides itself.
#3....Make sure the wood chips are not Pine chips. They are toxic to reptiles.
#4....I would not use astroturf. It is easier for feces or bacteria to get into it leading up to a nasty infection.
#5....To solve the all your concerns, I would use simple paper towels as a substrate and a hide-box for your brooksi to hide in. That will give it a place to hide and you will be able to see it too. I use Kleenex boxes, their easy to come by, when they get dirty I just throw them away and replace them with another one.
#6....Yes, they will try to get away so learn how to guide it as you are handling it to go from one hand to the other. Also keep a VERY secure lid on your tank. I use a mesh lid with 4 metal clips to make sure my king won't escape.

I hope this helps.

Paul
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Paul

wow your brooks lost its orange quick. yeah i got a brooks it will sit still for like 15 mins on my hand then it really trys to go lol. i used some expandable dirt stuff for my tank, he will go under it and will stay on top of it. either way if i want to see him i just go in an pick him up. so how old is your brooks? i think mine is like 4 or 5 months and 24 inchs already.

In my experience, kings will remain hidden unless they are
A. looking for food
B. attempting to thermo-regulate
C. defecating
D. looking for a mate
Mine stay hidden from the time they eat to the time they dafecate. Then they cruise the enclosure until I feed them.