Reptile & Amphibian Forums

just wanna say thanks a lot for your feedback on my previous post. i do have more concerns though.

*Feces of the snake is supposed to be solid brown as i was told but mine is brown and white with small specks. Although i see no trace of this on the snake itself can this be a sign of mites or parasites?

*the Heat of the tank is still an issue. Although i can get it to about 85-90F i cant keep it cool on the other side. There is only about a 3 degree difference on each side. Problem is my room is too hot especially when im not there and the ac is off. The tank is small so i dont think keeping the light on one side is really doing the trick.

*I was thinking of switching my bedding. Astroturf i heard may be too rough for the snake and can cut it, plus theres a chance youre not cleaning all of the bacteria off of it. I was thinking aspen shavings or preferebly sand. How much would this cost me a month? How much do i need to replace/refill a week knowing i have a 20g long tank?

*I've read someone mentioning their mex king being very active & all over the place. Mine stays in his hiding rock all the time. i only see him come out when i turn off the light..he goes to drink water and hangs around for a bit then hides out again.

-Thanks again for you help so far, i have a # for a specialist to check him out i have to make an appointment. i will bring samples of his feces and ask him as many questions as im asking here..i just hope the checkup isnt too expensive.

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drinking water

my 20g long tank

If so I have never heard of anyone doing that....and I think it is a mistake. Room temp is fine. Tom Stevens

I said np.

Ameron..thanks a lot for your feedback. i will switch over to sand because last night when i came home the critter was UNDER the astroturf. Im not sure if he was stuck but yea that convinced me to switch i'll try sand..i heard something about calcium sand or something thats digestible.

Tom..yes its ice lol. I figured it was relaly hot and could use a bit cooler water but it didnt really matter because the ice melts in an hour anyway.

Mike..The snake perfers vodka. O yea and whats N/P?!!?

Are you sure it isn't a hybrid?

np n/p n/m nm all mean there is no message or no post except for the Subject line.

Good luck with your Russian Mexican king, and have it drink one for me.

Cheers!

LOL!!!

Have enjoyed Kingsnakes as animal companions (not pets) since early 1990s. Have raised or had in my home for long periods:

1.0 Eastern
0.1 Desert
0.1 Mexican Black
1.0 California
1.0 Mexican Black
1.0 California (desert phase)

1.0 Corn
0.1 Taiwan Beauty
1.0 Brown House

Here is my advice:

1) Relax! New owners are WAY too paranoid.

2) Sand is cheapest and very good substrate. I use it. (Got tired of paying premium prices for Care Fresh.)

3) Temperature is very likely not the issue, assuming that daytime temps do not exceed 90 and night temps don't go below 65.
(The literature suggested ranges is for IDEAL conditions. In the wild, Kings endure a wide range of temp extremes, and can easily survive overnight temps in the high 40s before brumation. I often don't heat mine at all; room temperature suits them just fine. Yes, they will be more active in the 80s than 70s, and more so in sunshine than in artificial light.)

4) Feed live. Forget convenience, focus on health & variety, just like what's best for you.

5) Exercise your pet often. Hold it and talk to it sincerely. If you are patient, you will learn to communicate with them the best way - tactilly. You can earn its trust; it can earn yours.

Snakes become sedate, living jewels which seldom move only if their owners allow them to. Give them plenty of space, handle them often, and they will be more active. Give them more crevices & hiding spots and they will be more curious. Mine is always more active in his "room" right after handling than at most other times.

Your snake may be bored & lonely. Could you live in a sweaterbox or a tiny terrarium the size of a large closet for you???

6) In the right timing & circumstance, it will eat. I've never known one not to.

7) Be ready for its first summer when mature. It is NOT uncommon for males to go off feed for weeks. (They are horny, not hungry.) This condition may repeat itself each spring.

8) I would not be concerned that my snake has not eaten, during warm months, until after at least 2 months.

Hope this helps!

Don
Vancouver, WA

Ameron, I noticed that you suggested feeding snakes live food all the time,because it is "healthier?" How can this be? F/T food is more than likely free of parasites, etc. (because they're frozen dead). With live food, there is that risk, along with the risk of your snake being bitten and injured. Maybe I misunderstood??

Otherwise, great post. It was very entertaining and informative.

As for substrate, I use aspen shavings, with one of the corners of my snakes house being comprised of fir tree bark, which she uses a lot when she's trying to shed, because it's rougher. I change my snakes bedding every 16 days (every 4 feedings). I spend MAYBE 10 dollars every month on her bedding. I'd NEVER use astro turf for a bedding. Hell, I know I wouldn't like sleeping on that stuff.