Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I’ve looked into getting a Grey banded kingsnake but in my research I’ve found that some people say one thing and others say the opposite. These are some of the questions that I need to know couldn’t find a good answer for:
How large of a tank do you need for a full grown adult?
What kind of lamp/bulb would you need to mimic a day and night cycle?
Should there be a lot of cover/décor for the snake and filling the tank or not too much?
Do you need to replace the substrate after a while? If so, how often?
What do you feed them when they are to small for mice?
Is there anything else I should know before getting one?
I’d also like to know if males or females are larger and how wide they get.
If anyone could answer any of these questions you’d be helping me out a lot in getting a new pet and I’d be very appreciative.
Thanks,
Gareth

Hello. An adult grey-banded kingsnake does well in at least a 3' × 18" enclosure with plenty of hides and climbing décor. Feed hatchlings pinky mice, spot-clean regularly, and replace substrate every few months. Use a daytime light on a timer and no light at night. Females are often slightly larger, reaching around 3–4 feet in length.