We bought a Florida King Snake and wonder about feeding?

Question

When we bought our snake the store told us 1 pinky is all they feed 2 times a week.(barly keeps him alive) He ate 3 pinky mice the second day after we got him. Now we've had him for four months and he is quite content with 3-4 pinkys twice a week or even 3 fuzzies(little hair) per week some times twice a week.

He's already grown to his 20 gallon aquarium. He litteraly goes from end to end and back again. That is how long he is. He has shed 3 times know.

We were told by a breeder that they can eat as much as you give them and you should feed twice a week. We know shedding is normal and it's OK.
MY QUESTIONS ARE:
1) Is there such a term as over feeding when it comes to Florida King snakes?
2) He's shed once every month, is that to much??
We are not trying to force him to eat sometimes it's like he's looking for more when he's done with the 3 fuzzies.


Sandy

This added tidbit came after the 2ND answer. Thank you for the signs of over eating--I never knew that there were signs of over eating.
he doesn't show signs of over eating. We've actually had two times where he must have been full for he didn't eat two pinkies and we threw them out. So he does quit eating when full and doen't eat all that is given.

Answer 1

You're overfeeding him. Neonates can handle more frequent feeding, especially since pinkies have very little nutrients. However, snakes need time to digest their meals. They're opportunistic feeders which means they will eat when food is available, but that doesn't mean you should make it available so often. They might eat a couple times a week in nature, but then it might be a few weeks or even months before they can get another meal.

At this point he could probably handle a small to medium sized mouse without a problem, and you should feed him once a week. If you keep up with this schedule, you might end up owning an obese snake. You can tell if they're getting too fat if they have visible folds when coiled up or if you can see skin between their scales.

Finally, shedding once a month is a little too frequent. He should be shedding once every 6-8 weeks if on an appropriate diet until he becomes an adult.

Good luck.

Answer 2

I have a blotched king I bought in March (or so) and he is now longer than a 30 gallon tank. The Florida Kingsnakes appear to be a bit bigger than the California Kings and they are definitely healthy eaters.

There is a Cali King at the pet store where I bought Elvis and they only feed him once a week and he's still not much bigger than when I bought Elvis. I think the pet stores feed them minimally to keep them smaller so they will sell easier.

One thing I've found is that it's more cost effective to feed them the biggest prey they will consume. Elvis eats hoppers now (he's probably big enough for full size mice) but when I want to give him a treat I give him a couple of pinkies......after all in the wild they will eat whatever they come across. Big as he is, Elvis really gets excited about those pinkies-they are his favorite.

Answer 3

Rather than feeding him a bunch of pinkies, step up the size of his prey. Pinkies have very little bone and snakes need the calcium they get from digesting bones. If he's eating 3 fuzzies, try hoppers or a small mouse.

Power feeding a snake can make his body grow so fast that it stresses his organs. Back off a little until he's only eating one or at most two appropriately sized prey items a week.

Answer 4

You might be over feeding the animal at this point. In the wild the snake might come upon a nesting mother mouse or rat and the snake might consume several, one, or all the babies (it depends on if moma rodent puts up a fight). It is not uncommon for snakes to have long periods inbetween eating so they will eat as much as they can and having limited brains they don't weigh the consequences of extra calories. They eat, digest, poohp, shed, hide, mate, eat, digest, and so on. I would agree a shed every six to eight weeks is good, every 4 weeks is a sign snakey is eating too much

Answer 5

while a snake any form of snake eats that many pinkies in that little time you could head as much as the subsequent length. consequently you could attempt feeding it fuzzies. With maximum snakes they only devour pinkies and fuzzies for some weeks. If it eats those rather quickly, then pass directly to small or smallish mice. because of the fact that that hasn't been working attempt searching for the two rather small fuzzies or bigger pinkies than you have been feeding it. good success. *Krstl*

Answer 6

everything is fine, the more it shed'smeans it's just growing faster.I love all kingsnakes the sweetest.your feeding is fineas long as he'll take it.the more you feed it the more it'll grow.just dont put another snake in there with it.they eat other snakes.Your doing great!

Answer 7

ya i agree u are over feeding him my boa dosent even eat that much. and shedding is normal but that is ofter but if its small it will shed alot. but slow down on the feeding