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Picked this little guy up at Daytona! My first trip! I think he's just gorgeous. From Jim and Jane Minesinger of saltcreekreptiles.com, very nice folks. They warned me he hadn't been fed yet and his first shed was during the show (in his container), but I was up for the challenge. I have him in 5 gallon with some hides and using carefresh for substrate. Also setup a heat pad with a temperature sensor taped on top. Picked him up sunday, drove back to tampa. Tried feeding him a frozen/thawed pinkie on Sunday and he took it right away! I'm so happy he started eating without any problems! Anyways, sorry for the blurry photos. He bit me the first time I pulled him out for a photo shoot today but after that he got very tame. It's exciting raising a hatchling! One question. It seems like he might be hungry again. He's almost 1ft long. Do you guys think it's ok if I offered him another pinkie tomorrow? It looks like he already passed the first one. I'll post better pics when he's more comfortable being held, didn't want to hold him for more than 5-10 minutes for the first time.

>>Picked this little guy up at Daytona! My first trip! I think he's just gorgeous. From Jim and Jane Minesinger of saltcreekreptiles.com, very nice folks. They warned me he hadn't been fed yet and his first shed was during the show (in his container), but I was up for the challenge. I have him in 5 gallon with some hides and using carefresh for substrate. Also setup a heat pad with a temperature sensor taped on top. Picked him up sunday, drove back to tampa. Tried feeding him a frozen/thawed pinkie on Sunday and he took it right away! I'm so happy he started eating without any problems! Anyways, sorry for the blurry photos. He bit me the first time I pulled him out for a photo shoot today but after that he got very tame. It's exciting raising a hatchling! One question. It seems like he might be hungry again. He's almost 1ft long. Do you guys think it's ok if I offered him another pinkie tomorrow? It looks like he already passed the first one. I'll post better pics when he's more comfortable being held, didn't want to hold him for more than 5-10 minutes for the first time.
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Correction, picked him up Saturday, fed him Sunday.

Nice find!........

Yeah, that little guy could easily be fed two fuzzies(not pinkies) at a time that are slightly larger than it's mid-body diameter with no problem about every 5 days. One pinkie won't cut it as far as optimum growth and keeping his appetite at bay. Young kings can be fed two of whatever they can fit down their tiny heads per feeding, but no need to go beyond that for optimum growth and good health.

Good luck with that nice critter!

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

my website -serpentinespecialties.webs.com

Unless you are a midget, that snake was not hatched out this year, but last year. That looks to be a yearling.

Kerby...
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>>Unless you are a midget, that snake was not hatched out this year, but last year. That looks to be a yearling.
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>>Kerby...
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Haha, no way. I do have pretty slender hands though. It can barely fit a pinky in its belly. I will post a pic with a penny for reference when I get home

he still looks like a yearling and not a new hatch Cal king from this year.

Tried feeding him a frozen/thawed pinkie on Sunday and he took it right away!

Actaully an old trick we used to use was to take a non-feeder for a drive in the car. Something about traveling and the shaking makes them have a feeding respnse when back home.(?)

This is whay i tell people who receive snakes from me to feed right away. THE SAME DAY THEY ARRIVE! Sometimes if you wait a couple days the " snake jet lag" sets in.

Also the geographical difference could also set them off feed.

If you offer food right away to new arrivals this gets them to acclimate better.

Don't ask me to explain this phenomena. Just the facts over years of experimenting.
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www.Bluerosy.com

>>>>Unless you are a midget, that snake was not hatched out this year, but last year. That looks to be a yearling.
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>>>>Kerby...
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>>Haha, no way. I do have pretty slender hands though. It can barely fit a pinky in its belly. I will post a pic with a penny for reference when I get home

Feeding on a pinky.

>>Unless you are a midget, that snake was not hatched out this year, but last year. That looks to be a yearling.
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>>Kerby...
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Perhaps you guys could elaborate more on why you think it is a yearling? You guys are probably right, you're definitely the experts. This is just my third king and I haven't bred any yet.
I thought hatchlings could be 10-11 inches at birth

Feed him fuzzies and not pinkies. Then keep pushing the size of the mouse.

Pinkies offer practically no nutrition. That is probably why he is stunted in growth.
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www.Bluerosy.com