Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi I have a California King Desert Phase and he is approaching almost a year and a half age. He just shed. His length at the moment is now at 3FT 9IN and I am beginning to wonder when he will stop growing. 2 questions, what is the approximate age for this type of snake to stop growth, as in length wise? As well, when should I be thinkin about getting a larger tank? I currently have a 20 gallon. Thanks, write back.

I have a 5-foot male...he needs a 30-gallon tank..that gives them room to move around. I saw one in a 45-gallon and he looked lost...but if you want to go that big and if he's your only snake, make a natural-looking habitat for him...I have a lone male AZ Mountain king and it's really neat...Helane

Are you sure of the age and the size?

Not starting anything here but the picture doesn't look like a cal king that is just short of 4ft.

I've never had an 18 month old cal king be near 4ft (3'9" in your case), even in the 1990's when I used to power feed.

Kerby...

Not too mention he looks to be eating a fuzzy. A 3' plus snake would look bigger in comparison to that fuzzie. Did you measure the shed skin or something ? Because if you did thats not the way to do it as the skin stretches when peeled form the body.

Keith
-----

Yes I did measure the shed skin. That is probably why I was thinking he was getting a little too long. I have a hard time trying to get him to stretch fully to be measured, it is also uncomfortable for him to let me do that, so I don't. I was unsure of another way to measure because he is never stretched out fully. But yes I am sure of his age, I guess the size is a little less than the skin. Also, that picture is from a couple months ago.

And for an 18 month old cal king that is normal. Shed skins can be over 1/3 longer than the snake's length.

Your cal king will never stop growing as most snakes but will reach adult length within 5 years. The average length is a round 4 ft. but some cal kings in captivity can reach 5-6 ft.

Kerby...