Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My students all got together and purchased an albino king snake for me on my birthday. I've had it about a week and it has "squeaked" three times. It seems almost like a sneeze, but I'm not sure what is going on.

I just thought I'd see if anyone was familiar with this phenomenon, or if I have the first snake that evolved to be able to call mice to it!

I guess if I do have the first squeaking snake I should quit my job and start collecting the millions - ha ha!

Happy hunting,

Jake

That is not an interesting sound, rather it should be a worrying sound.

That squeaking is usually a sign of a respiratory infection. Often, if you make sure the snake has access to a properly set up temperature gradient 24/7 and leave it alone, the infection will be self-limiting. If not, it may require veterinary care.
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Chris Harrison

Thanks for the heads up - I will see if I can get that taken care of.

Jake

Jake,
I had the same problem just a few weeks ago with my baby Gray Banded Kingsnake. What kind of heat source do you provide for your snake, and is it's enclosure exposed to any sort of draft?
-Ryan

The enclosure is actually home-made. It is 14" x 36" x 24" and it is currently heated by a large light with a "sun bulb" in it. The enclosure is big enough that I can aim the light at about 3/4 of it to give the snake the option of being in the light or out of it. The room it is in is heated to 68 degrees all the time too. I am going to get a heat rock I think, but some people have told me that the snake can get burned. Wouldn't the snake just avoid it if it was too hot?

Unfortunately, I first heard the snake "squeak" on the first day I had it, so I have no way of knowing what went on prior to that.

It is actually eating really well and it even ate today, so I assume that is a good sign.

This is my first time setting up an enclosure to keep a snake long term, so any advise would be appreciated.

Jake

It has been about 2 days since I have actually observed the "squeaking".

Jake, what is the enclosure made out of? What kind of substrate do you use. I would strongly recommend you NOT using a heat rock as the level of heat they produce can be very inconsistant, and that's what can actually cause burns. I recommend an under tank heat pad of some sort. If the bottom of the enclosure is made of wood then I would have a piece of glass cut to fit inside the tank and "sandwich" the pad between the wood and the glass, and then put your substrate on top of the glass. There are, of course, more options than that and a good place to get ideas for the proper heat source is the "Cage and habitat design" forum.

Overhead heat lamps are generally good for lizards but not snakes (generally speaking) overheads do not supply the proper gradient zones you get with under tank heat systems, this is something snakes MUST have in order to properly digest their food.
It's a good sign he's still eating. I would still take him to a reptile Vet and maybe get him on some Baytril to help cure the infection. My visit to the Vet for my last Respiratory infection treatment cost under $30.
Good luck, and Let us know how he does!

Undertank heating will work well to enable the snake thermo-regulate. To choose it's own temp at any given time.

Nice reply Ryan!

Tony

I had the same thoughts before I check Chris' post. If the snake gapes (opens its mouth) when it makes a sound, that is a sure sign of respiratory problems.

Richard F. Hoyer

a popping or wheezing sound, something about the loosening skin around the nostrils. My rosy boas do this sometimes about a week or so before they shed, and I've had kings and milks in the past that occasionally did this. The sound goes away immediately following.

If the king sheds very soon, there is the source of the squeak. If not, then illness is likely.

If not illness or shed, then breed the snake and produce "het-squeakers." You can sell them on kingsnake.com. They sell het-everything there, even het for impossible.(lol)
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Mark G
Collection:
Beautiful San Felipe rosies
Some CA rosies
Some Ariz mtn kings