Reptile & Amphibian Forums

He is about 14 inches and 6mnths old..But the problem is when I pick him up he is so loose, flacid Im not sure of the right word but he doesnt kling to me like I would expect.He always shakes his tail when I open the container but as soon as I pick him up he just hangs there and it takes him awhile to finally wrap around my hand..He just doesnt seem very muscular..He has been eating pinkie mice quite well though it seems to take him longer to eat than even my pueblan who is a month younger and at least 2 inches bigger..Anyway what do you think?
-----
.........
)

his cool side is 74 his warm side is 90-85 depending on if hes under his substrate or on top...I used a temp gun and he is currently in a very small bin..Also he is always on the coldest part of his enclosure under the water bowl even after he eats..Could he be trying to brumate?
The milk is kept under the same conditions and is also always on the coolest side but is still much more active and stronger.
-----
.........
)

He's always on the cooler side because the warmer side is too warm. Keep the temperature on the warm side from 80 to 84 degrees. If he was trying to brumate, he would stop feeding. With the muscular problem, maybe once a week, you should sprinkle some calcium on a pinky mouse, to help make his bones stronger.

Mike
Michael's Place

-----
Michael's Place has updated better caresheets
Helmz777@aol.com
www.freewebs.com/mikesnake

Calcium supplements are for the the bones..I asked if I have anything to worry about? Is this normal or not and is he of a normal size for his age? Thanks for your input and i will dust his pinks though I dont think that will help much...
-----
.........
)

You came off kind of nasty there, if I had a direct answer for your question, I would've supplied one.

Peace,
Mike
Michael's Place

-----
Michael's Place has updated better caresheets
Helmz777@aol.com
www.freewebs.com/mikesnake

didnt mean to come off sounding nasty.Im not a very verbal person and it always comes out worse in writing...I do appreciate your comments it just didnt answer the original Q of whether or not you thing this is normal for a E. King....He is still a baby so maybe Im overreacting but Ive had a few snakes and none have acted so relaxed as this one..
thanks
-----
.........
)

Sounds like you have everything setup right. The hot side could stand to be lowered a bit, since you said all his time was spent on the cooler side. Neither my Eastern king or brooks really cling to me, but they both are always on the go when being held in hand. Both my 04's are very calm, slow moving, tractable snakes. Both have good muscle tone. Hard to tell with yours, but since he's eating, that a good sign. Here is a pic of my 04 female eastern in hand. You can compare for maybe muscle tone, or behavior in hand. Maybe you can see something different from mine compared to yours or something.
Steve

I just realized these pics are about a month and a half old, so it should be taken into account that she is larger now.