Hatchling kings not gaining weight
I am screwing this up?
Temps are what the Kingsnake care literature says - mid 80's hot spot, low to mid 70's on the cool end. I have a new temp gun, and another digital with a probe, so those readings should be accurate. Plenty of hides in each tank, and clean fresh water.
These snakes showed up in our kitchen weak and dehydrated on Oct 3.
Dusty: Weight: 12 grams 12" long (measured as best I could)
Sticky: Weight: 12 grams 13" long (good measurement)
First feeding, a pinky for both on Oct 6
October 9
Dusty: Weight 13 grams
Sticky:Weight 14 grams
October 13
Dusty: Weight 12 grams (back to 12??)
Sticky: Weight 13 grams (They each lost a gram, and are back to their original weights!)
After weighing, each fed a pinky
I don't want to overfeed, but maybe I'm being too conservative?
We bought two more pinkies, just slightly larger to freeze. Maybe I should these f/t feed again in five, rather than seven days?
The snakes were lethargic when first found - not in great shape. They have been doing very well since then - so until I weighed them, I was SURE they had grown. I can feel the strength in them, they are inquisitive, and they look good! They don't look thin. They actually seem to enjoy being handled. I was shocked to find they were back to their original weights!
Re: Hatchling kings not gaining weight
I wouldn't be concerned. essentially they've had no change in weight after a single feeding. I would start offering every 5 days.
Re: Hatchling kings not gaining weight
I feed my young colubrids 10-15% of their body weight every 5-6 days on average. Sometimes they eat a little more, sometimes a little less. I do agree that you'll see more significant weight gain once they're eating larger prey.