Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Based on everything I've read and heard, kingsnakes have a tolerance, if not immunity to rattlesnake venom. I've also read that the kings prefer other snakes over prey such as mice. But as with all reading, it's only reading and I'm looking for some people with hands on experience. I consistently have access to rattlers as I relocate them, and if my king would eat them, that would not only be really neat, it would solve the problem of finding somewhere to relocate the rattlers too. So, if my King is 30", how big a rattlesnake will he be able to eat.

Also, I have a milk that is over 3ft, and they supposedly eat other snakes too although I haven't heard that they have the same tollerance.

Has anyone had any experience with this?

Thanks,
Carraig

I don't think that it is practical or safe to be feeding rattlesnakes to your kingsnake. Even though some getula will eat rattlesnakes, it doesn't mean that they prefer them or purposely seek them out. A meal like a rattlesnake could also be difficult to digest, and your snake could be injured in the attempt to kill and constrict the rattler. Just because it would be "cool" to watch your king eat a rattler, it's a bad idea IMHO. Besides rattlers are purty, why kill 'em?

Greg

Not to mention the potential diseases/illnesses that could be transmitted from a wild caught animal to your collection.
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I agree, it would be cool to watch, but the other replies are correct in why you shouldnt. Disease can result from wild caught prey. The rattlesnake can still bite your snake and leave a nasty wound. Just because the venom isnt harmful doesnt mean the fangs arent.

From what Ive heard, getulus have a higher affinity towards eating other snakes than other species. Ive heard people starting babies off on small snakes and switching them over to mice. I have heard that if you keep two kings together and two milks together, you are more likely to loose a king before the milk since they are more likely to eat each other than other snakes would. Does this mean they prefer snakes to mice? I dont think so, they are just more likely to eat the snake problem free, I guess.

Ive heard of snakes eating other snakes that are as large and larger than themselves. Ive been told to watch cal kings closly when mating, even if they are the same size, because they can still eat each other.