Scarlet kings are not recommended for the beginning reptile keeper.



Lampropeltis triangulum elapsoides are extremely shy and secretive. Feed the animal lizard-scented pinkies, but leave them where the snake can find them in the middle of the night. If he doesn't eat right away, remove the food item promptly in the morning and try again the next day.



If he doesn't have a hide box he'll die of stress, but it will take weeks for it to happen. All the while you'll be wondering why he's wasting away.



That said, if you work at it they're not hard to keep so long as you observe the basics. Look at his world through his eyes--they spend 95% of their time under cover of bark or rock, under which it is uniformly humid. As the environment dries out the animals go where the humidity levels remain acceptable. This is why you find them near the surface until dry heat drives them ever deeper underground.



Using that logic, if you provide the animal with a dark, relatively warm, and humid habitat, he will eat. If he eats he will live.



Regards.



PS If you go to a pet store they will try and sell you UVA lights, etc. BAD IDEA. Plastic shoeboxes with newspaper for liner, a water dish, and a hide box are all you need. Scarlets (all kingsnakes for that matter) are escape artists. If the lid is not secure he will be gone one day.

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