Reptile & Amphibian Forums

HE'S ABOUT AN 1FOOT 2IN THE PET STORE SAYS HE IS A COULPE OF MONTHS I DONT NO THE EXACT AGE....BUT ANY WAY I WONT A BIG STRONG HEALTHY SNAKE R THERE ANY TIPS I CAN USE IM PLANNING ON FEEDING HIM A VARIETY OF PREY FROM BIRDS TO FROGS TO OTHER SNAKES PLEASE CAN SOME1 HELP ME SEND ME IN THE WRITE DIRECTION....IM LOOKING FORWARD TO CHATIN WITH A FELLOW KING OWNER.

Personally, I wouldn't feed frogs or lizards if I didn't have to. I have never fed poultry, but have heard that it loosens the stool. the problem with frogs, etc, is that I doubt that you will find cheap "feeders" that were raised in captivity under clean conditions and without disease or parasite. I might be wrong, as I haven't looked into this. I absolutely would not feed any wild caught food. well-fed and gut-loaded rodents of an appropriate size are more than adequate to give you a big, healthy snake. While it does seem to reason that variety is good and even the "spice of life", that isn't true for your snake. Healthy rodents are a complete food source that doesn't need to be 'supplemented' by other foods. They are also, in my opinion, the safest food as well. I have experienced loose stool from switching foods, as well, which can cause dehydration and actually hurt your snake, so that is one thing to consider. In my opinion, the healthiest thing you can do is to feed your snake frozen/thawed rodents from a reputable source, and leave it at that.

my two cents,
nate.

ANY PREY I GET WILL BE FROM THE PET STORE......ALSO IS A MOONLIGHT HELPING ME OR IS IT WORTHLESS OR WHAT

Again, the VAST majority of "prey items" you get at a pet store will simply be wild caught animals. I own a pet store, and I only sell captive bred animals, and I can tell you it is VERY hard for me to find them at pet store "wholesale" prices. Mostly, I pay more for the animals I buy than Petco sells them for. So unless you are feeding your kingsnake a 30 dollar frog that you got from the breeder, I wouldn't risk it. $30 can buy a LOT of frozen mice, and again be healthier. btw: TYPING IN ALL CAPS LIKE THIS makes it look like you are yelling, or at least angry, unless it is a few words used for emphasis.

Now, what do you mean about moonlight? Are you using a black or red "nightlight" for heat? If so, that shouldn't hurt at all, but I tend to use under tank heaters. The important thing is just to let the snake have adequate hours of darkness so it knows when to sleep or become inactive so that its circadian rhythm stays in sync.

nate.

Ok so the light is a 75w EXOTERRA NIGHT GLO MOONLIGHT ITS A BLACK LIGHT sorry about caps......so even petcos pets arent safe? money is no object

Hey 4Kingzeus,

One of the biggest problems with feeding frogs, reptiles, or any other amphibians is that it easier to transfer parasites from reptiles and amphibians to your snake. Most if not all parasites are killed with frozen/thawed mice. Its also alot less likely with live mice to transfer parasites. Most parasites that live in mice cannot tolerate the stomach acids and digestive system of a snake. If your feeder lizard or frog or whatever has parasites the transfer is much more easy because they are similar species.

But here is really the biggest problem with feeding other than mice. AVALABILITY. Even if money is no object petco or whomever cannot possibly provide you with enough "stuff" to feed your snake. ALL of us here take great pains getting our kingsnakes and milksnakes babies to feed on pinky mice.

In your first post you mentioned that you wanted HELP and that you wanted a BIG STRONG HEALTHY SNAKE and you wanted some TIPS.
Here are three TIPS.

1 DO NOT feed you snake other reptiles, amphibians or birds.
2 Only feed you snake mice or rats.
3 Buy some books on the care and feeding of your kingsnake. Here are 2 good ones. "The general care and maintenance of Common Kingsnakes" by David Perlowin or "Kingsnakes and Milksnakes" by Ronald Markel & R D Bartlett. There is also good info on this site under "Care sheets/FAQ's/Features"

As for a heat source you would be better off buying a heating pad and setting it on "low" and putting it under your snakes enclosure, but under only part of it. Your snake needs a warm place, a cool place, a hiding place and water. He also needs a VERY SECURE enclosure. Snakes are expert escape artist.

You have a great looking kingsnake. Good luck with your snake.