How to Feed a California King Snake

Popular as pets, the non-venomous California king snakes naturally live in the wilds of the southwestern United States. These striped reptiles are less than one foot long when born, but when full grown, they can reach lengths up to four feet. Because of this growth, the California king snake's diet changes with their capacity to swallow food, until the snake reaches its full size. Along with fresh water, the California king snake can survive on frozen mice alone, if the snake owner feeds them properly.

Things You'll Need

  • Mice (frozen)
  • Container
  • Tongs
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Remove one or two mice approximately the size of your snake's girth from the freezer. Hatchling snakes should eat "pinkies" or mice that haven't yet grown their fur. Larger snakes eat larger mice.

    • 2

      Place the mouse in a container of cool water for 30 minutes, up to 2 hours or more, depending on the mouse's size. Pinkies require 45 minutes, young mice need more than an hour and adult mice take approximately two hours.

    • 3

      Pour out the water, leaving the mouse in the container.

    • 4

      Add warm water and let sit for at least 15 minutes.

    • 5

      Pour out the warm water and add hot water to raise the temperature of the mouse and make it smell more natural.

    • 6

      Dry the mouse.

    • 7

      Use tongs to place the mouse in the cage with your snake.

    • 8

      Repeat at least once a week for young snakes and every 10 to 14 days for older snakes.