California Kingsnake Feeding help

[Cypris1]

OK, that helps a lot. You want to try feeding a small fuzzy mouse, either live (most likely to succeed right now) or f/t small fuzzy, if that's all that's available. Most king snakes will take smaller than optimal mice (ie. pinkies) when they're hungry, but pinkies have less appeal (they're less developed & therefore have less scent). Keep in mind that most pet/reptile stores feed smaller than optimal to keep their young snakes from out-growing their small cages. California king snakes hatch out about 10-12" long...some are even as small as 8". It also takes a long time for them to gain much size when all they can eat is pinkie mice, because they aren't much nutrition. So if your snake is 16-20" long, she's more likely a YEAR old (most hatch in the summer), so right now, I'm not trusting your source (Imperial Reptiles) one bit...sorry. BTW, I believe your size estimate, from what I could see in your posts, but it's hard without specific & close-up items of a known size to compare to. Keep in mind that some pet store personnel may also refer to fuzzy mice as pinkies (because they're still pink & hairless)...they aren't all as "expert" as you'd hope or expect.

Being a reptile store, they jolly well had BETTER have all sizes of live mice available...so try a small fuzzy- EYES CLOSED, a little larger than a pinkie. King snakes have a smaller gape, ie. mouth opening, than say rat snakes of a similar age, so they eat pinkies for a longer time before they can up-size. IF all you can get is a f/t fuzzy, ask for some used mouse litter too, to add a fresher scent of mice right before offering (& after thawing).

If your snake refuses a LIVE fuzzy over-night (leave it in a bowl either in or near the opening of her hide) I'll be very surprised, but IF that happens, freeze* it & try it in a few days as a f/t. (*sorry, but there isn't any kinder way to "off" a pinkie or fuzzy mouse. FYI, they just go to sleep in cold, but they take "forever" to expire in CO2 or water because of their low oxygen needs.) Next time you buy a snake, find a better source- one that cares & is helpful. Not all stores, OR breeders, are the same- get references in the future.

Your snake did not grow to this size by not eating, so IF your snake still won't eat after this (trying fuzzies live & f/t), it may be also be sick. Let's hope not.

By the way, have you checked for mites on this snake? They're hard to see- that's another reason white paper towels are the best substrate for a new snake- while you assess their health; it's very hard to see mites in aspen shavings, etc.

Did this snake come with a guarantee? You might also think in terms of returning her for a full refund. Even if they say they don't do that, they probably do when you press the issue tackfully with a manager. Was she shipped to you? or did you buy her in person?

Oh I would have thought fuzzys would be to big, her width is a big smaller than my thumb (I think) and she is more around the length of 16 inchs, but im surprised that they would lie about the age of her since your saying shes around a year old, but I will pick up a live fuzzy with its eyes closed if they have any if not then a f/t fuzzy. Its quite mean for pet stores to feed them so little on purpose to make sure they dont grow. And I also dont trust Imperial reptiles now, when I first got her I had my full trust in them but now I dont think I will ever get a reptile from them again. When I change her water I could put a penny in there and put it on the wall and if she goes up the wall next to it you should be able to see her size.

Ok ill make sure the fuzzies eyes are closed and that I also get some of the bedding with it. If she does not take it I will freeze it, and ill make sure to buy from a better source when I get another snake in the future.

I would be very upset if I found out that she was sick, I did not check for mites as I was scared I would loose her or stress her out more than she already was from shipping, should I change her to paper towels?

She came with a live arrival guarantee and to be healthy on arrival, but they dont allow refunds or returns. She was shipped to me and I did not get a picture of her, I was shown a picture of what she Might look like.

their terms https://imperialreptiles.com/pages/terms-conditions

The page I got her from https://imperialreptiles.com/collect...kingsnake-baby