feeding?

[AZ King Snake]

ive ran accross alot of diffrent thoughts on if its better too feed in the cage or in a sepreate bin for feeding and have heard it can make a snake more too strike if you feed in cage whats your thoughts

[Stewart_Reptiles]

have heard it can make a snake more too strike if you feed in cage whats your thoughts

That would be a myth.

Feed how the way you are comfortable with but keep in mind that feeding in the enclosure is always preferred as moving a snake in feeding mode to an other enclosure is often the best way to get tagged.

[AZ King Snake]

well im having the problem he wont eat the guy i got him from says feed him in a sepreate bin an says he wont eat cuz the time of year im new too snake a jus dont want him too die an he hasent ate since ive have him an today is 2 weeks

[Stewart_Reptiles]

If he doesn't eat I would feed him in the cage to prevent adding additional stress, even if colubrids are not generally prone to stress feeding outside the enclosure is not recommended for a animal already having issues.

Colubrids tend to be garbage disposal in general especially if provided with proper husbandry have you look into your husbandry?

[AZ King Snake]

it seems fine have a hide on both hot an cold side water on cold side have heat pad under a 3rd of the cage keep the hot side at about 85 too90 an lower side from 75 too 80 an use a infer red light at some times too keep temp right cuz i live in oregon an its hella cold hes not cali king either its a arizona king

[RestlessRobie]

Usually not feeding is a stress or husbandry issue. If you have only had the snake 2 weeks he may still be adjusting to the new surroundings. What are you feeding and when? How big is your snake? Sounds like your husbandry is good but I am not and expert on King Snakes. So I would leave him alone for a week and try to feed again in his enclosure. I have an adult rescue BP who has always been fed live in her enclosure and she won,t strike except when in feed mode and then enything warm in her enclosure is fair game. This is the only time I would be worried about getting struck but that would be my fault as she is looking for food and my hand is warm. Any other time she does not even look at my hand or anything else like food. So if you can I would feed in the enclosure and just use the typical precaution while feeding. Hope this helps

[AZ King Snake]

i tryed a week ago with f/t then 2 days ago i tryed live and f/t he dident want anything too do with it an hes about 2 or 2 1/2 foot

[TheWinWizard]

My Cal King just started eating again after a 3 month strike. Don't know why she did what she did but she's about the same length as your snake so I wouldn't be too concerned, just try once a week.

[lostinstall]

Each snake has its own personality. Some are easy eaters, while some are picky eaters.

Here's my advice for picky eaters based on my experience and what's worked for me.

1. Triple check your temp and humidity to ensure they are ok. Make sure there are at least 2 hides in the enclosure.
2. Ask the previous owner what he was kept in. If possible, use the same size enclosure. An enclosure that is too big for your snake can cause stress and prevent him from eating. If he was kept inside a rack, consider taping black paper or material around 3 sides of the enclosure to give him more security.
3. Handling is a no-no. Other than cage cleaning, you should not handle your snake until he's eaten at least two times.
4. Feed him inside his enclosure. Dangle and wiggle the prey in front of him for around 30 seconds. If he doesn't take it, leave the prey inside the enclosure and cover it with a blanket to give him total darkness and security. Check back in a couple of hours. If the prey is still there, remove it, and try later.
5. Wait at least 7 days in between failed feeding attempts. Do not handle him either!
6. Most important rule: You need to be patient. Snakes can go months without food, so don't worry that he will die. Hovering over him, handling him, or trying to feed him too often will only worsen the situation. Snakes are scared creatures that need an acclimation period before they are comfortable enough to eat. Give them that time and privacy!
7. After you get him eating consistently for a few months, then you can start making husbandry changes if needed.

Good luck!

[filipradcliffe]

Each snake has its own personality. Some are easy eaters, while some are picky eaters.

Here's my advice for picky eaters based on my experience and what's worked for me.

1. Triple check your temp and humidity to ensure they are ok. Make sure there are at least 2 hides in the enclosure.
2. Ask the previous owner what he was kept in. If possible, use the same size enclosure. An enclosure that is too big for your snake can cause stress and prevent him from eating. If he was kept inside a rack, consider taping black paper or material around 3 sides of the enclosure to give him more security.
3. Handling is a no-no. Other than cage cleaning, you should not handle your snake until he's eaten at least two times.
4. Feed him inside his enclosure. Dangle and wiggle the prey in front of him for around 30 seconds. If he doesn't take it, leave the prey inside the enclosure and cover it with a blanket to give him total darkness and security. Check back in a couple of hours. If the prey is still there, remove it, and try later.
5. Wait at least 7 days in between failed feeding attempts. Do not handle him either!
6. Most important rule: You need to be patient. Snakes can go months without food, so don't worry that he will die. Hovering over him, handling him, or trying to feed him too often will only worsen the situation. Snakes are scared creatures that need an acclimation period before they are comfortable enough to eat. Give them that time and privacy!
7. After you get him eating consistently for a few months, then you can start making husbandry changes if needed.

Good luck!

I got my BP Friday, fed sunday, and held him everyday except after feeding...he is active in my hand and doesn't seem to breath heavily. Could it be just the snakes personalitly?