iHerp Answers: My Kingsnake has been fasting all winter, is this normal?

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My Kingsnake has been fasting all winter, is this normal?

Posted By:

torigo

In Relation To:

Tuxedo [04]

In May of 2015, I purchased my California Kingsnake as a hatchling. He was always a good eater and I never had any issues with him refusing food. At the beginning of winter (this past December), he started showing no interest in food and completely refusing to eat. Every 2 weeks I would attempt to feed him and still, no interest. He would always burrow on the cold side of his tank and would not stay on the warm side (cold side is between 75-85 and warm side is between 85-95). So, this has been going on for about 2 1/2 months now. He isn't losing a lot of weight, so I assumed since this is his first winter that maybe he was trying to hibernate or burmate. The weird thing is, that during these past few months, he will occasionally come out from hiding and cruise around his tank.

I'm not sure what to do here. Wait it out? Is this normal for Kings? It has gotten to a point that I am starting to worry.

Thanks for your help!

Attached Photos:


Points:	150
Topics:	General Health , Feeding
Tags:	CaliforniaKingsnake, Eating, Food
Species:	Kings and Milks > Kingsnakes > Lampropeltis getula splendida
Administrative:	Show/Hide

Accepted Answer

3/25/2016 5:27:14 PM

Serpents of Oz

Your animal appears to be a desert kingsnake, L. g. splendida, although they are essentially the same snake as concerns care and behavior as L. g. californiae. I had a pair of splendida for a number of years and would cool them for months at a time at temperatures between 50-60 with no ill effects (no basking spot provided during cooling). I would bet your kingsnake starts eating again in the next month or two, depending on where in the country you are.

All the best,

Andy

Member Comment

3/25/2016 8:20:41 PM

Cenobite

In short, yes.

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