Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am a bit of novice when it comes to keeping kingsnakes, my experience is more in ball pythons, and my ball never had any problem shedding, so I have never had to use a "shed box", with sphagnum moss and all. I have read that it is recommended to use one with kings, so I was wondering just what exactly you would use to build one, how you would keep it moist, and is a way to keep it asthetically pleasing (lookin good). I keep my cages, enclosures, more on the attractive side, rather than basic, so the cardboard box idea doesn't sound too appealing. Any suggestions would be very welcomed. Thank you.

P.S. do kings like to climb? if so, what would you recommend as a climbing apparatus? Thank again

Kings will climb occasionally. If it floats your boat you can throw in some branches but they wont miss them otherwise.

Kingsnakes are fossorial, they spend much of their lives underground in small chmbers where it is humid. They will use this are for hiding, brumating, and egg laying, as well as shedding. In fact many rarely come out of a properly designed humid hide box.

The easiest way to make a hide is to get a solid colored plastic shoebox, cut an entry hole, and FILL IT with spagnum, cypress, dirt, whatever... You could also paint or duct tape a clear box.

The Key:

It must be DARK, FULL, and moist but NOT sopping wet.

If you want something hidden, get a low profile tupperware, cut a hole in the lid and bury the whole thing under the substrate so all you see is the hole.

I like Zach's low profile box design, as this is what they do in nature. Like he said, you will be lucky to see them if it is built right and they will lie in ambush from them as well! Put food item near hole and wiggle, WHAM! into the box, haha!
Todd Hughes

Thanks for the ideas. Correct me if I'm wrong, but if the cage is designed well, I may not even need to use such humidity chamber? I haven't had this king long enough yet for him to shed, but he does spend most of his time underground, and the humidity is controlled by occasional misting of the cage. Should I spray the subsrate as well, as I generally spray the walls and a few mists through the air. I also have a cool mist humidifier in the room, and the room stays about 65-70F. He has an undercage heater on one side (temp is between 80-85F at ground level), and he is constantly changing his location in the cage, normal. I have currently a rock cave design hiding spot just past the "hot spot" and a fingerless glove (he liked climbing in it so I left it in there. actually looks pretty cool to see climbing in and out of it) as a second hiding spot on the cool side. It is a 20 gallon tank, plenty of options for him to choose his temp control. The water dish is fairly large as to provide drinking and swimming, as I have observed on occasion. The substrate is Desert Snow, which I have read is ideal as it allows for dry or moist conditions (holds relative moisture well without becoming soggy or messy). I don't currently have a digital camera or scanner, so I can't post pics right now, though I will have soon. Based on the description of this cage, is there anything more I should do, or does this sound right to you? I also have a heat lamp, but according to various info, the undercage heater is preferable, so lamp is not utilized. Thanks for all of the replies, and my gratitude is extended in advance for all replies to this post as well.

humidity chamber, not shed box. lol. I feel a bit like an illiterate ass at the moment.

My kings do not use a shed box.
They shed just fine.

They spend most of their time down low, but yes, they will climb if they have the opportunity.
-----
3.0 WC; 0.3 CB L. getula californiae
1.0 CB L. getula nigrita
0.1.1 WC; 0.0.3 CH Elgaria multicarinata multicarinata