Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ok I have had this guy for about a full week. He shed last thursday. I have tried a live pinkie and also a dead pinkie. He gets really pissed when I try to feed him, he just stares at the pinkie and strikes at it, but normally misses or just tags it and thats it like he is tryin to get it away and not eat it. I cant seem to find lizard or snake (smell) at the pet stores. Any tips would be appreciated. I have also tried feeding him in a deli cup and in his cage, but the same thing happens every time.

Need some help.

This time of year (in the dead of winter) a lot of kings go off feed. What set up are you using? Do you use undertank heat or lights above? How big a cage and how big is the snake??

Try buying a cheap anole at the pet store and see if he eats that.If not you may want to get him to 55 degrees and wait till the warmer weather.Make sure he has clean water all the time and a hide box.
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"Wake me when its April"
Doug L

Also, bird dander is great for scenting too.
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2.4.0 Leopard Geckos
0.1.0 California Kingsnake
0.1.0 Copperhead
1.1.0 Eastern Box Tutles

Did you get any information on what it was eating at the time you got the snake?

Here are some things to think about:

1. Cage Size
Baby snakes fare best when kept in relatively small enclosures (e.g. a plastic shoebox).

2. Hide Box
A hide area is beneficial to a snake’s well-being.

3. Lighting
A baby snake is most likely to come out in the early evening or at night. For this reason, lighting its enclosure is not only unnecessary, but it may cause the animal stress.

4. Time of Feeding
Baby kings often feed most readily in the evening.

5. Handling and Other Disturbances
Baby snakes should not be handled – at least not until they have adjusted to their new home.

6. Temperature
It is important to have a “hot spot” in the enclosure where the temperature reaches the mid-80’s.

Tim

Third Eye

Assuming your setup follows the guidelines above, it sounds like the snake is just stressed. Leave him alone for a couple of weeks to let him acclimate to the enclosure - and to you.

As for going off feed, it happens. Don't panic. Mine went off feed for the fall, and I drove Bluerosy and everyone else on this forum nuts with my questions. To make a long story short, my kingsnake refused frozen mice and rats but immediately jumped on the live anole. A word of caution (not trying to insult your intelligence), but if you do offer anoles, make sure that wherever you get them from has them in a clean enclosure and that the anoles look and act healthy.

Good luck!

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0.1 Banded California kingsnake - Zorro
1.0 Betta fish - Billy
0.0.3 White Cloud Fish
1.0 RES - Chopstick
0.1 Australian Shepherd - Jet
0.1 Domestic Shorthair Mix Cat - Pirate

Besides making sure it's caging conditions are right as others mentioned I would just leave it alone and try feeding it thawed again in another week. Let it get acclimated and hungry. If it does not take it then give it another couple days and try live. Then try split braining. It's always good to leave a food offering in their cage overnight. I wouldn't resort to scenting unless it won't eat for at least another 2 or 3 weeks.
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Randy Whittington