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I adopted a California kingsnake about 8 months ago that had apparently been only fed sporadically, and generally malnourished. It's supposedly around 3 years old, but still looked like a yearling when I received him. I've had him eating regularly and he seems to be very healthy, but he has not really grown since I got him. Is it possible due to his mistreatment his growth is stunted and he maybe permanently around 14 inches long? Or will he eventually reach a normal length for an adult California King?

He'll probably grow some,but I don't imagine he'll get as large as a well treated one at that point. I've gotten several animals in that state, and it seems like it varies both depending on how long they've been maltreated (a Fl King yearling got in similar condition is doing a lot of catching up and is over 500 grams, up from 40 in October) and just individual to individual. The longer they were malnourished the less they seem to grow.

Feed him heavy and eventually you'll probably see some growth, but I doubt he'll get as big as most well cared for ones. He don't care, he's just getting food regular for the first time.
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We wouldn't have 6 and a half billion people if you had to be beautiful to get laid.
6.6 African House snakes
3.2 reticulated pythons
.1 corn snake
4.2 Florida Kings
1.2 speckled kings
1.2 ball pythons
0.0.1 Argentine boa

There is hope! Even though early mistreatment does tend to stunt a snakes growth, I have seen and heard of cases where snakes have turned around and put on substantial growth. Remember snakes continue to grow their entire lives, so it really depends on how well the snake eats and how often. Try to get him eating at least 2 mice a week and make sure that the meals are large enough to push his growth but not so large that he just regurgitates it. You should see a noticable lump with each meal but not bloating. You may be able to condition him to take even more than 2. But again making sure he doesn't throw up is the key. Gradually work your way up to large meals, you'll be surprised how much he can grow.
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King Snakes! Who can make a better mouse trap?
J Sierra

No offense, but snakes do not grow their entire lifes. That is an old wifes tail. Yes, they grow differently then mammals. But not their entire life. If they did, there would be giant snakes of all species.

They have a genetic limit. They can take many years to reach their genetic limit.

Of course, poor conditions, both in captivity or in nature can and does effect the maximum growth a snake will achieve. So its support and genetics that limit a snakes growth.

In this case, I acquired a 7yr old het for albino gopher snake, it was 7 years old and 18 inches. Within a year, it reached four foot, but did top out at five foot. Consider the genetic limit is around 8 foot for these snakes.

So in the end, or the begining, or something, a snake can grow for an extended length of time. But it still cannot grow past its genetics. Or there would be 18 foot indigos in S. Fla. Instead of burms. S. Fla does support Burms(different genetic limit) to fairly large sizes, over what anything native can achieve. But S. Fla, does not support Indigos to the size it supports Burms. Cheers

No offense, now I am not a self-proclaimed snake "pioneer", but a rattlesnake that won't cross the the path that a rope is placed over is a wive's tale(spelled correctly). Or the renowned "hoop snake" that grabs it's own tail and starts rolling down hill is also another well-known wive's tale.

But the fact that Indigo's do not reach lengths of 18 feet(or anything near that) doesn't mean for a SECOND that snake's do not continue growing throughout their entire lives.

Fact is, snake's DO continue growing, just much, much slower after they reach a very substancial size. Even if it is measured in micrometer's,and not feet or inches, it is still growth nonetheless.

Of course there is a pre-dispositioned genetic limit with any individual's growth too(as you mentioned), but as the snake aproaches that point, it's growth slows TREMENDOUSLY.

An eight foot Indigo under good conditions that is from exceptionally large parent stock could easily reach 7'9" inches within...let's say 6 to 8 years, but the additional 3 inches might take the entire rest of it's life to attain. The point here is...growth is growth, even if it can't be measured in feet, or many inches as when the animal was much younger. Snake's do not just one day stop growing, it is simply something that isn't nearly as noticeable as it once was, simple as that.

Just didn't think the previous poster(Jorge)needed to be corrected, when what he said didn't need correcting is all.

cheers, ~Doug
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"a snake in the grass is a GOOD thing"

my website -serpentinespecialties.webs.com

Does a shed always mean they are growing ?

Yes, although in very old snakes, it isn't a very noticeable process, and is basically more of a skin/scale rejuvenation period even though they are indeed still actually growing.

regards, ~Doug
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"a snake in the grass is a GOOD thing"

my website -serpentinespecialties.webs.com

I see thank you.

"In this case, I acquired a 7yr old het for albino gopher snake, it was 7 years old and 18 inches. Within a year, it reached four foot, but did top out at five foot. Consider the genetic limit is around 8 foot for these snakes. "

Wow what a jump in size.