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Wondering about Size...

Posted By:

Rhari

In Relation To:

Bubblegum [02]

Hey guys!

I was just wondering, I recently purchased a 1.5 year old kingsnake, I'm not entirely sure on how their growth is supposed to progress, if she's on mark or if she's undersized/underweight. She's 21" long but real thin, is that normal? The only snakes I have a lot of experience with are Boas and Balls, but they seem in an entirely different class from our little girl :3

Anyways, this is just a general question. She's not in any danger, since we got her she's been feeding well and normally and she had a shed the week we got her, I'm just curious if we're on track.

Thanks, Rhari

Attached Photos:


Points:	100
Topics:	General Health
Tags:	Correctsize, Kingsnake, Undersize
Species:	Kings and Milks > Kingsnakes > Lampropeltis getula californiae
Administrative:	Show/Hide

Accepted Answer

4/30/2011 1:45:22 PM

shellboa

She looks alright to me. I didn't notice any spine ridge from those pictures and that seems to be about the right length. If you are in doubt or have a concern, I suggest getting a fecal exam done.

Assisted Answer

4/30/2011 2:34:23 PM

Sylvias

She looks alright to me as well. Kings can vary in their growth. I have a female that is about 2 years old now and is pounding down rat weanlings. She is a bit over 2 ft long and last weighed in at 176g. i think she will turn out to be a good size female with the growth rate she is showing....

and on the other hand.. I have a male that is almost 4 years old.. just at 3ft long and very slender. Also eating rat weanlings and last wieghed at 211g. He is kept the exact same way and ont he same feeding schedule but has grown much slower. One theory that someone presented to me is that he might have more of one strain in his blood than another... I cannot remember if he said that coastals are known to be a bit smaller or the other way around... but basically he said he might have more of that smaller local in his genes which is causing his slender and slow growth

Basically.. if she is healthy over all, no parasites or other problems, no bones sticking out and good muscle tone then you shouldn't worry to much about it.

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