Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just noticed that my female king snake spit up a white, gooey substance. I have never seen her do this before and I've had her for about five years. She is about seven years old.

She shed a couple of days ago and has not eaten since about a week ago. I feed her frozen mice and she eats about three at a time.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Hannah

Sounds like a bad RI (respiratory Infection)
What are the temps and what type caging?
Increase heat to the hot end of the tank..you may want to see a vet if it does not clear up after a few days of raising the temps
This is just my opinion, others may have a better idea

Thanks,
Bill

Thanks for the responses.

She is kept in a 20 gallon tank with a 75w bulb for heating. I recently moved from southern California to Colorado, so it is getting much cooler at nights, and she has not had a night lamp on her.

She has also recently (since I moved about three months ago, actually) been spending a lot of time in her water bowl. This is a new habit and she will basically sit all day in it when it's deep enough for her to do that.

I'll add a night lamp and take her to the vet if it doesn't clear up in a few days.

The snake is telling you what it needs.. humidity, that is why they soak. They also soak if it is too warm in the cage. Either case, the snake is letting you know. Are you using a thermostat to prevent against overtemperature?

If I remember correctly being in Colorado this time of year, humidity gets low.

A suggestion for you: use moist coir fiber a the substrate and see what happens. You know, Bed a Beast, Eco-Earth and those type of products.

Lamps dry out the air even more. OK if the substrate holds moisture. Make it deep enough for the snake to easily submerse itself in the substrate. I put in about 3-4 times the thickness of the snake. You'll notice a huge difference in skin tone and possible even feeding response.
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Mark

Sounds like one of those kingsnakes raised in the south Bronx. Bad habits and such......maybe a good stern talking-to might help.

LOL, sorry. What temps do you have the snake at? Any other details might help.
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Jerry Kruse

"Luck favors the prepared." -- Edna Mode

It sounds like a respiratory infection. A snake can get it no matter what temperatures its kept at. Some snakes recover on their own, while others need antibiotics. The only way to find out for sure what the problem is, is to take the snake to a vet.

Tim

Third Eye

Kingsnakes can get respiratory infections if kept too dry or too cool for too long. Meaning, they can withstand periods of too dry or periods of too cool but then need a break from that.

A vet trip is in order. Otherwise, make sure the snake can access temps in the 80's, perhaps even a spot upwards of 90 for a week or so with a warm humid hide. Coir fiber works well for the humid hide.

I got a kingsnake with an RI or an infection of some sort once. It recovered on its own once I did the above.
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Mark

hello, my 2 cents is to ask around with local herpers and find a good herp vet. not every vet that says they treat snakes is qualified. i say that from personal experience from last year with one of my "late" pits :0( she had a respiratory infection also.

if i remember correctly, there are 2 types of infections- virus and bacteria. the bacteria can be treated with antibiotics and the virus has no medecine to cure. you just have to take it's course. raise temps and humidity ect... mine was the virus. she didn't make it even after numerous trips to the vet, meds, and some very hefty vet bills $$$ which would've been worth it if it would've been the right treatment and worked. i have since found a more experienced herp vet in my area for any future needs.

enough rambling, i just wanted to share my experience in hopes that it might save someone else some unneeded trouble. take care...

jonathan

Thanks for the help, everyone. I haven't seen her spit up since a few days ago, but I'm keeping an eye on her. I'm going to buy her a night lamp and take her to the vet if I see anymore signs of her coughing/spitting.

Thanks again.