That is indeed a banded coastal phase California kingsnake(L.g.californiae). I knew it was without even seeing the pic from your description of the "Y" shaped nuchal marking on the neck near the head. That is very indicative of Cal. kings, and not milksnakes.



The enclosure you are thinking about getting that is 36 x 18 is PLENTY big enough for the snake. The most IMPORTANT thing is the temp range on either side of the enclosure for it to feel secure and content, and be able to digest properly.



One side can be in the mid 70's that is comfortable for humans, BUT it is absolutely PARAMOUNT that the bottom of the enclosure on the OTHER END (1/3rd or so of it's length) is heated from underneath so the BOTTOM SURFACE of the enclosure(not the substrate surface) is in the mid 80's not above with a heat lamp that excessively dries the air out even more now that it is becoming the colder and drier season, as well as the home heaters/furnaces drying the ambient air just that much more.



You need to monitor the warm side temp down on the very surface where the snake's actual belly surface will be with an accurate thermometer or temp probe PRIOR to putting the snake in to "tweek" things accordingly. If you do opt for an above heat source/lamp, use a ceramic heater that doesn't blaze the light down on it so it won't always instictively choose to hide rather than move around and thermoregulate from end to end as they would normally do as needed at any given time. Now the snake can thermoregulate as needed to digest or go to the cooler end to conserve it's energy and metabolism and shouldn't be crawling around constantly trying to find a way out. This is generally a typical sign of something being wrong with the environment, and it is desperately seeking better optimum conditions. That, and/or it is very hungry from not being fed enough. And it sounds like the previous owner was doing just that.



On BOTH opposite ends you must include a low, dark, tight hide box of some sort so it can feel secure and it can use either side as it chooses. it can be almost anything from an upside down dark plastic froven dinner tray with a notch cut out as a door, to a store-bought natural looking hide. But it needs a couple hides to be content and to hide while digesting AND at the other cool end while conserving enegy as well. Also of course, a water bowl with freah water that it can't tip over.





~Doug
-----
"a snake in the grass is a GOOD thing"





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