Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I may be getting a kingsnake tomorrow if I can talk the person into giving it up. She has had it for almost 2 months and it has only be fed twice that I know of. She is repulsed by the idea of feeding it. It was purchased by her son, who has left the home. It is a baby, purchased at the Daytona show. Of course, she says it is agressive -- IT'S HUNGRY!!!!! Anyway, I'm trying to take it easy on her so as not to turn her away at least until I can get the snake. I don't have snake experience, but I do have some reptile experience and feed pinkies to several of my animals, so feeding it isn't an issue for me.

My question is this: How do I get the baby back on track? Should I just start feeding it on a normal schedule like twice a week or will I have to make up for the malnutrition? Also, will the snake have suffered permanent damage at this point? I believe it was fed 2 weeks ago.

Thanks!
Laura

They can go a long time without food when they have to, so I very much doubt that there is any permanent damage. As for making up for malnutrition, or what feeding schedule to adopt, your best bet is probably to let the snake itself answer that. If he eats a pinky, give him another one; he may or may not eat it, depending on how hungry he is. If he eats the second one, fine; if not, that's okay too. Wait a few days and repeat with a couple more pinkies. If he doesn't eat, wait another couple days. And so on. (If he's a baby, he's probably not ready for fuzzies yet. )

One thing to remember: If you end up adopting him, get his enclosure set up and then leave him relatively undisturbed (no feeding) for at least several days, to allow him to get used to his new surroundings. Even if he'll be in the same enclosure, he'll be in a different place and will need a little time to adjust. As hungry as he might be, his feeding response will likely be better after he's "comfy".

Good luck. (BTW, what kind of king is it?)
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MichaelB

I don't know yet. A friend of mine who has seen it can only say that it has yellow, black, and a pinkish color? I can't find a pic that has those colors in it, so it's going to be a surprize for me! That is, if she will let it go. If she can't stand the idea of feeding it, I would think that she would. I hope so anyway. I've been wanting a snake for quite some time now, and I always try to get rescues or handicapped animals that others wouldn't want. I have a bearded dragon with a kinked spine resulting in some neuro damage to his hind legs. As he gets bigger, he is getting better and better. I am also getting two CA wood turtles, one with 3 legs the other with a broken shell. I always fall for the underdogs.

Laura