Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've had my South Florida King for a few years now, but it's my first snake and I was looking for some advice from those that have raised a few snakes.

Anyway, I picked up the snake at a pet store that unfortunately had no knowledge about the snake. Officially, I have no idea how old he is. He was about 33" when I got him and he's now about 44" to 46" and about 1.25" in diameter. I'd been feeding him two mice every 1-2 weeks. I decided to transition him to small rats after it became apparent that he could easily put away 3 mice and it was cheaper for me that way. Two rats later he had visibly put on a lot of weight, with skin starting to show between his scales and crease marks in a lot of scales. I head that can be a sign of being overweight. I decided to switch him back to mice and buy in bulk since the corn I have can put away the same size mice.

He's slimmed down a bit, no more creased scales or visible skin.
He's putting away 3 adult mice in a sitting every 10 days. Does this sound about right to people that have had similar size kings or should I be feeding him more? He looks healthy to me and I haven't had any problems with him, but I was curious about other people's experience.
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~Lara

South Florida King
Amel Motley Corn

I'm no expert, but I'd say you need to feed that snake more! I have a Florida King and when he starts to really turn it on (usually around now), he eats 3 to 5 small rats at least once a week, and sometimes twice a week! He will feed like this until the fall, when the days get fairly short.

Ray

Not sure what you mean by, "crease marks in a lot of scales", but the skin showing in between the scales is from eating larger food items and is just stretching it to grow. You know different people will tell you different things we all have opinions. The adult mice per week sound reasonable if you are not going to brumate him or try to breed him. If you want to push his size rats are good. Again not sure what crease marks your talking about, but your snake still has some growing to do so he will absorb the food and turn it into growth untill he starts to reach his upper limit and his growth slows down considerably. Also a medium rat to you maybe a medium large rat to someone else?
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King Snakes! Who can make a better mouse trap?
J Sierra

The crease marks and skin between the scales he's talking about are from being too fat. Sort of like if you tried bending a very wide foam rubber tube, or sausage, it would do the same thing. I see no need whatsoever for a male to have an excessive fat content and so chubby it can't turn without wrinkling-up, unless you plan on over-working the snake's organs and shortening it's lifespan. An ovulating female being prepared for breeding is obviously another issue altogether.

This always seems to get some piling in here to say that you should ALWAYS feed them as much as they will possibly want to eat at a sitting(which is pure hogwash in my opinion).

Only females need to have a real substancial reserve of mass for egg production, and that is only if they are going to be bred. This is NOT me saying males should be thin either. They should be fed well, because they should have a nice full body size. Only many folks can't seem to tell the difference between being fed well, and being fed far too much.

To anyone that wants to argue about this, I say there is a nice balance to anything, not going to any extreme either way is far more optimum.

It all boils down to what you intend for the animal to do, produce, or simply lay around and be a pet. And the size and age also governs how much food is optimum at any given time too. Young snakes will always use calories for growing, and I can easily get getula's to a very robust breeding size in 18 to 20 months, and I do mean BIG and robust!

I feed my kings VERY well, and they are all very nice and stocky, but they all have different feeding needs because they are all different sizes and ages, and have different feeding needs, so I simply feed all of them accordingly.

I feed very, very well while they are growing, then when they reach maturity, I do whatever is best for whatever individual needs they may have. That takes just a bit of good judgement is all.

It is all about balance here, not really about this much of whatever is perfect for all.

This really shouldn't have to be such a controversial issue, but it always seems to be that way for some reason.

Anyway, that is my take on the issue..LOL!

regards, ~Doug

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"a snake in the grass is a GOOD thing"

my website -serpentinespecialties.webs.com

beep

I don't intend to breed my snake, just keep him at a healthy weight for a pet.

Thanks for the replies. Doug thank you especially, I didn't realize the can of worms I was opening by asking this question.
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~Lara

South Florida King
Amel Motley Corn

You're welcome Lara,....

I just thought it was important to mention many of the variables regarding feeding, as there are many things to consider about the topic.

Keep it nice and robust, but not overly stuffed and stretched out. Of course just after a substantial meal you would obviously see the snake's mid-section plumped a bit,...which is a good thing and quite normal.

good luck with enjoying yours!

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

my website -serpentinespecialties.webs.com

Look at those skinny snakes you posted! Lol
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Mark

Yes, those all died since of malnutrition though..LOL!

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

my website -serpentinespecialties.webs.com