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Live feeding bites on kingsnake.
If you don't want to read the story, please just skip to the question. The question is important, the story is not.
My brother got a common kingsnake from a friend of his. It's your typical case of the kid that purchased it thought it was "cool" to own a snake, then decided it was a waste and sold it off to someone else for real cheap. The kid said he got rid of it because it won't eat; more on this later. So, my brother knows nothing about snakes, he just felt bad. He decided that I'd be able to take it, though he did not mention he was giving it to me. A week after he bought it, I went out there to get my oil changed (just 2 days ago) and he gave the snake to me. He said maybe I could help it, because it still wasn't eating.
We have no idea if it's male or female, nor did the kid. It's about 3.5ft long, appears underweight. Kid said he was feeding it once a month (!!!!). And I do have an idea about why it isn't eating, now. I'll call it a "he." His eyes are completely blue, colors all faded, and instantly I was aware of why he was so uncomfortable. That and, the stress the poor thing has gone through!
So, after running errands with me after the oil change (he was in an all-blue sterilite bin the whole time) for a few hours (i was out in the valley, had things to do, did not plan on a snake), we got home and I set up a tub, sprayed it with Provent-a-Mite and let it dry while I showered and did things around the house. I made sure it was dry, then I sprayed the snake himself lightly with Reptile Relief, checked him over real good and didn't see anything on him (save for mice/rat bites). He's a total sweetheart, didn't get defensive once and I know he isn't feeling very comfortable and open to friendship. I'm not even a kingsnake type of woman, but if this one maintains his charming personality, he may just win me over. I didn't even want him, but as of now, I plan on keeping him. You know, regardless of whether or not he stays sweet, he may just have a constant home to call his own, anyway.
Yes, he's being quarantined, currently.
THE QUESTIONS:
What can I do for the mice/rat bites? I cleaned them with warm water/soap, but what else could I do? At the moment, I don't have Neosporin, but would you recommend I grab some tomorrow when I go to the store? I did my best not to get the Reptile Relief on/around the bites. These bites are not near his face, but he has one on his belly (that's the biggest one), and some scattered all over his back/sides. Some have large scabs on them, one came slightly loose so I left that one alone as obviously that's the most fresh one and I didn't want to make it bleed again, some appear to be scarred.
When he sheds, will this open the wounds again?
Is it hard to transfer a kingsnake from live to frozen/thawed? I have freezers full of rats of all sizes, but not many live ones to choose from, as most are adults (way too big) and a few that are still in the pinky stage (which would be too small, but i'd rather feed this new snake a small meal anyway at first, after he's shed and settled in for 7-10 days, i'm just hopin' i can transfer him to f/t easily).
Thanks a whole bunch! I'll attempt to get a picture in the next month or two. I'm anxious to get the settling period over with, get the wounds healed, have him all shed and beautiful and on a good feeding schedule first, before I worry about pictures. Sorry this post was so long! I just know this forum has always been helpful, so figured I'd just type away.
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