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Here is the little Cali King that I found at work last Friday. I learned today he has lived in that dark, cold, neglected place for two years. The guys that last Friday were giving me strange looks when I expressed my discontent with putting him behind glass and in such poor living conditions, now want me to take him home! LIfe is strange.

Anyway,,the temperature is up : the heater was detached from the underglass of the tank! He had a big drink of really good clean water today and even became active. One of the guys got excited to see him out and about and threw in a pinkie which he devoured immediately.

I took some pics of him as he came out to explore his cleaner environment.

What a good looking snake, and it's great hear he'll get great care now. Pork him up.... =]
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Matt from Minnesota

That is a very nice looking snake! Nice to see him survive. Derek

Uhoh, Cindygurl! You now have dabbled in wild caught management of a ltc ( long term captive) and are guilty like me! Feels good though doesn't it? Thank God you came along and upgraded that snakes quality of life! That is an awesome looking king and it should respond positively to your husbandry. You have become like us!!!!! Keep us posted. By the way, how long is it, 'cause at 2 years in the tank, maybe it should be moved up to larger prey items, as pinkies aren't enough for a growing kingsnake! Try hoppers or small adult mice. Multiple small but furry prey items.
Todd Hughes

Todd LMAO!!! Perhaps this is the opportunity to clarify my first statement that offended a few. What I've seen and realized over the last few days is that there is a grand difference between capturing a wild snake and taking excellent care of it, breeding it and sharing information then that of capturing a lovely wild creature, and putting him behind glass to be neglected. I also learned today that while my lil king has been in near isolation captivity for 2 years he has also been taken out, put into an 'insect' type container and taken to school for show and tell. He has had food withheld from him to encourage hunger and then thrown at him in hopes of a 'show'. My heart was heavy for a moment today as I listened to this. That has all changed and my joy will be watching him thrive, grow and sharing pics of him as we go along. And yes, bigger and more food is in order! I'm Sicilian I believe in hearty meals and meat on da bone! LOL!!

LOL! That's my kinda gurl, Cindy! We never know who is going to join the forum and sometimes some of us can be a little defensive but it's all about da snakes! I have learned a lot from these forums and "met" some great people and have even had succesful herp trips with some, and of course all the baby pics and feeding pics it's just like family here. Your lil cali is in for a treat with someone like you to care for it. Hang in there and we'll all have fun, shoot, you may even out hand feed the master, Jetzen! LOL!
Todd Hughes

LMAO!!!!!!!! You know more than most about my ideals Jetzen! I am so happy that things are as they are. My lil king is resting, with a very full tummy and it's hard to put into words how happy I am with the challenge that lies ahead of me. Never one to back down from adversity, I know that in a year's time, my lil frustrated, neglected king will turn into a healthy, happy beauty just like many of those that you share your beautiful pics of.

xo

cindy

for sharing! and your pics are very good.
your pal,
JETZEN"John".......

It was my pleasure Jetzen!!! I was so excited to take a couple of pics today. The next pics will be from my house as we watch him grow and like Jason said, become "warm & feisty"! I'm not afraid of feisty either. I'm hoping at the very least to accustom him to my presence and hands in the tank but will always hope and work for more.

I've been wanting to get another snake. I've missed my Milk Snake Stevie Ray very much and this situation seems to have fallen at my feet.

Being rather feisty myself, I'm always intruiged by challenge and here we gooooooooooooooooooo.....

Awesome to see that you're improving his home!

It would be a good idea to provide hiding spots for him; the dishes of flower pots (with an entrance knocked out of the side) work great. If you give him a substrate that he can burrow in (aspen, carefresh, etc.), he'll appreciate the opportunity. If you have a substrate that he can burrow in, you can use flat rocks or pieces of bark for him to hide under too. Be creative! Snakes like their hiding spots to be snug, not roomy!

The temp in the warm hiding spot should be about 85 degrees. The cool side can be in the high 60's-70's or whatever the room temp is.

How big is he? I could be wrong, but he looks too big for pinkies. A good rule of thumb is to feed prey items slightly smaller in diameter than the thickest part of the snake's body. Try fuzzies or hoppers if he's big enough for them!

Good luck with your new pal, he looks great, soon he'll be guzzling rodents like there's no tomorrow!
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- Andy
ToothAndScale.com - herp and underwater photography

1.0 Sandfire x Yellow Bearded Dragon
0.1 Albino Black Ratsnake
0.1 California Mountain Kingsnake