Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi. I just bought my first snake at a local petshop. Im not to sure what it is though. The tag on the cage said "Goini x Brooks Kingsnake". Does anyone know its common name?

First, where (or what city) did you get this snake in?

They are refering to a blotched king (used to be called goini), snakes that are found in parts of counties south and SE of Tallahassee basically being crossed with a Florida King (who knows what they are calling brooksi).

I don't like to see this because this is what some people believed used to be the origins of the blotched kings (goini) - a natural intergrade between a Florida King and an Eastern King.

That doesn't seem to be the case now so I don't think they should be breeding in that way, but it's just MO.

In any event, your snake will be fine and should have some interesting color; if you get a chance put up a pic and one of us on here can tell you what you've really got if it's not what they told you it is - it happens all the time in pet shops.

-John

I bought the snake in a petshop outside of Houston,Texas. It seems like it is either a baby or just really small. I only payed $24.99 for it. It is yellow and black(seems to be black spots on yellow). I'll post a pic as soon as I can, but it may take abit. What should I start feeding it with and also, when giving it water, should I remove the chlorine from it?

Sounds like your not sure what kind of snake you have, so advising about feeding is a bit tricky. I would begin by offering a mouse (a thawed to room temp pinkie, fuzzie, hopper, or adult mouse...depending on the size of your snake; I believe the rule of thumb is that the prey item at maximum should be no larger than one and a half times the widest part of the snake). Sometimes picky eaters need to be started on lizards, or with mice that have lizard scent rubbed on them.
As for the chlorine, I read somewhere that non-chlorinated water is essential. But, I have been giving my snakes tap water for years without incident (after checking with someone with 20 plus years of successful experience). You have asked a great question...and I'm sure your snakes will be well fed and watered.

I'm not sure what you have either, but it sounds like you have a hatchling florida king of some sort.

Keep her/him in a well-ventilated cage like a critter cage with a small water dish, at least one hide box on one end, and ensure that the snake can stay at least around 75-80 degrees. If the room you're in is cozy for you then the snake should be OK inside its shelter.

As far as feeding, like the previous message I start with thawed or live pinkies about the same size around as your snake, and keep the cage away from full view - in a corner or a place where the snake feels safe. Right now getting it to eat regularly is the key - after a month or so I agree too...try and get the snake on frozen as soon as possible. Some hatchling kings eat thawed right away while others take a little coaxing.

Just don't let the snake get to drafty or handle it too much right now - keep it in an are of low traffic, where he can stay
warm and feel safe for the time being. Once he/her settles in and starts eating (which shouldn't take more than a couple of weeks), then you can handle them without them freakin' on you too much.

Also, I'm not sure how much snake experience you have, so this may all be old news to you. But don't handle the snake the first couple of days after you feed him unless you have to.

Hope all of this helps!

-John

Just fed my snake today! It was the first time I have ever fed a snake or even seen one eat. It was the coolest thing ive ever seen. I fed it a little pinky mouse. I put it in the cage and I watched for abit but nothing was happening so I got bored. I decided to go watch a movie and about 15 min later I hear this loud "SQUIKKK!" and I look over at the cage and my snake is wrestling around the cage with a mouse in its mouth! That was the coolest thing i've ever seen. How long should I wait to feed my snake again?