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Sherlock the California kingsnake (progression)

spyderk

spyderk

Just a member
I have been thinking about a Cal king for awhile, and did post a thread asking for breeder recommendations. I found one available (an older one) but the BOI wasn't looking too positive. I could have waited for one from BHB. But the breeder where I got my Pueblan milksnake had 2 babies that were problem feeders earlier but were now eating well, and he sells his Cal kings for a price I would imagine to see at reptile shows. Anyway, he is somewhat local and has been a helpful source for me with my Pueblan, not to mention we have gotten luna moth caterpillars from him to raise.

This little guy wasn't my idea of what I wanted - a nice black/white 50/50 Cal king. I went to see it anyway (knowing that I had already turned a few down that weren't exactly what I was looking for). It's super cute, very tiny (only 9.7 grams when I weighed it at home!) but it's demeanor was just great. Very calm in my hands, more so than my corns. No pooping on me like the ones yesterday. I saw the dad to the clutch and he was what I was looking for, haha. But this little guy wormed into my heart and we brought him home.

I was assured that he was eating fine now, and I know that if I have an issue with him, the breeder will work with me because he's a nice guy.

I named him Sherlock. One more picture to follow.
 

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Maria holding Sherlock before we went inside and got him settled.
 

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Aw, congrats! I hope Sherlock turns out to be "one of the good ones!" ;)

I know what you mean about the 50/50's, they are striking snakes (no pun intended!). Abberant stripes are always neat, though. And Cal kings bring contrast to a new level. :)
 
Very nice! My husband also kind of wants a Cali king too but can't quite decide if he likes the 50/50 or the aberrant ones like Sherlock the best.
 
Well, he's definitely unique! I love the 3 little dots on his head.

Now I have my trio of "beginner snakes" for when they are adults and we can visit libraries or schools and talk about them. Sherlock and Milkshake better cooperate with that idea, because they are the only representations of their kind in my house! I have 4 corns to choose from, and I am sure I'll pick Lucifer my EO because he's so calm, too.
 
After eating 2 tiny pinkies 5 days apart, he is now 11.1 grams. He has stopped pooping on us and is just the most mellow snake! I walked down to the park with my kids today and brought him along to take pictures of him in the pretty flowers. Well, that didn't work out so well but I did get a few shots. Also, he acted the part of a program snake when some little girls came over to see him. They were really excited about him and were asking lots of questions like, will he bite, how big will he get, etc. They said that they would never be allowed to have one because their mothers hate snakes, but they wished they could. He was very chill and wasn't jumpy at all.
 

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Sherlock has an amazingly calm temperament! This is him chilling in my 5-year-old's hand. She loves that he doesn't move as fast as "her" corn snake, Monty.
 

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Glad you seem to have ended up with not only a beautiful snake, but a nice one too!! I love my Callies :) I had a bad experience with my first, but love my adults I have now! You're gonna love him!
 
Thanks, everyone! I feel like I really lucked out in the Cal king department. Sure, he's not a B&W banded like I wanted ... but yes, that pattern is nifty, and he is such a sweetheart! I am hoping he keeps his lovely disposition. :)

I'm still waiting on that first shed!
 
I started out with corn snakes. But once I got my first kingsnake I was addicted to them. I now have 5 of them. I personally like their attitudes. You never know how they will turn out.

My boyfriend's kingsnake, Jack was a very mellow baby. But as an adult his feeding response is very strong. So we have to be very careful about any smells on our skin or clothes.

My first kingsnake, Jormungandr was the most horrible snake I had the pleasure of dealing with. He liked to strike you in the face! However after consistent handling he became one of my most mellow snakes.

My little guy, Fen was a typical skittish hatchling and would tail rattle a lot and musk. But he has gotten over that. He is a very sweet kingsnake and always has been.

The babies are too young to really know how their personalities will turn out.

A lot of people don't like the typical Cali king personality or their strong feeding response. But I think it makes them very interesting snakes!
 
He is becoming more comfortable here and showing his Cal king nature more often! He has struck at me here and there, never biting (not sure his mouth was open), hissed, musked ... but always settles down. And usually I get the most spunk when he's hungriest! I love him and his attitude. He doesn't do more than a little musk normally, and I am hoping that will go away with time.
 

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WingedSweetheart said:
I started out with corn snakes. But once I got my first kingsnake I was addicted to them. I now have 5 of them. I personally like their attitudes. You never know how they will turn out.

My boyfriend's kingsnake, Jack was a very mellow baby. But as an adult his feeding response is very strong. So we have to be very careful about any smells on our skin or clothes.

My first kingsnake, Jormungandr was the most horrible snake I had the pleasure of dealing with. He liked to strike you in the face! However after consistent handling he became one of my most mellow snakes.

My little guy, Fen was a typical skittish hatchling and would tail rattle a lot and musk. But he has gotten over that. He is a very sweet kingsnake and always has been.

The babies are too young to really know how their personalities will turn out.

A lot of people don't like the typical Cali king personality or their strong feeding response. But I think it makes them very interesting snakes!
Click to expand...

I would love to read more about your kingsnakes. I am going to search some progression threads, to see pictures!
 
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