Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've kept kingsnakes for many years, several types, but have little experience with Desert Kings. My preferred traits in snakes are 1) active & curious, 2) consistent feeder with clean stalking technique, 3) amiable to handling & interaction with Humans.

Cal Kings seem to be very hardy, and I've found that many (especially Mojave specimens) are quite active, bold & curious. My Carlsbad Wide-banded morph is surface active for hours during most warm weather, and loves to explore outside in the garden.

Desert Kings have been seldom kept due to their plain appearance. How do they differ from Cal Kings in behavior, if at all? Have experienced herpers known unique feeding or behavioral traits that Cal Kings don't usually demonstrate?

Are they usually nocturnal, or does this depend on surrounding temperatures & humidity?

***If you had to choose between a Cal King and Desert Kings, which would you choose, and why??***

Ameron
Portland/Vancouver
1.0.0 Lampropeltis getula californiae (Carlsbad wide-banded morph)
1.0.0 Lampropeltis triangulum gaigeae
1.0.0 Pantherophis lindheimeri

Very much like Cal kings as far as husbandry goes. Can get a tad larger than many Cal kings. IMO desert kings by and large are less flighty than many Cal kings. Really nice choice for a kingsnake pet in that regard. Less musk for sure. At least the captive ones I've dealt with.

Activity is always governed by temp, humidity, age and time of year - for any snake. You really can't expect a snake to be curious and hungry at all times, but I would say the award goes to getula kings for the most time spent curious and hungry.
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Mark

I know, no snake is active all the time. I was speaking of overall, general nature, which does very from species to species.

From what I've found, most Kings are somewhat less skittish and secretive than most Milks. I also realize that behavior is a very INDIVIDUAL thing. (Some people report that their Mex Black is the tamest snake they have ever known; others report that their Mex Black strikes at anything that moves. Same thing for Corn snakes.)

Splendidas get somewhat larger than Cal Kings? Official literature states that they are slightly smaller, not usually exceeding 5 feet. I'll ponder that one with the Philosophers...

I think the desert kings are stockier than the cal kings in general build IMO. Just a more robust snake in general.

You put it better than I did.

Back to the original poster - length is but one factor. A 4ft boa constrictor is alot "bigger" than a 4ft Cal king. Going by mass, I think splendida are often just a bit larger than Cal kings in general and with some exceptions of course.
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Mark