Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just bought a kingsnake for my son yesterday. He's adorable and we're already in love with him! I am so confused by the varying information I am finding. First, the pet store (one with a large reptile department) recommened a lighting system that includes a UV type of long bulb, a regular household lightbulb and a night time bulb. They said this was needed both for heat and the UV for the health of the kingsnake. Is this correct? I've read elsewhere not to use incandescent lighting, that the snake prefers a less light habitat. Please help!?? What lights, exactly, do I need? Should I use a heating pad at all??

Also, for the bottom of the cage, they sold me this brick of "dirt" looking stuff that I had to soak in water, and it fluffed up and filled the whole bottome of the 29 gal. aquarium. Is this the right stuff to use? It DID, in fact, feel damp when I put it in last night and still feels slightly damp and cool to the touch today. If this is incorrect, I'd like to change it immediately, so please advise.

I've read many of the messages on this board, and everyone seems so nice and helpful. Thank you in advance!!!

>>I just bought a kingsnake for my son yesterday. He's adorable and we're already in love with him! I am so confused by the varying information I am finding. First, the pet store (one with a large reptile department) recommened a lighting system that includes a UV type of long bulb, a regular household lightbulb and a night time bulb. They said this was needed both for heat and the UV for the health of the kingsnake. Is this correct?

This is terrible advice. Most kingsnakes produced in the US are kept in small sweater boxes with to direct light source at all. You really don't any light source for the cage itself unless you want it for viewing reasons.

>>I've read elsewhere not to use incandescent lighting, that the snake prefers a less light habitat. Please help!?? What lights, exactly, do I need? Should I use a heating pad at all??

You do not "need" any lights. A heat pad will possibly be a sufficient heat source but that depends on several factors. Most important are the type of cage the snake is in and the temperature of the room where it sits.

>>Also, for the bottom of the cage, they sold me this brick of "dirt" looking stuff that I had to soak in water, and it fluffed up and filled the whole bottome of the 29 gal. aquarium. Is this the right stuff to use? It DID, in fact, feel damp when I put it in last night and still feels slightly damp and cool to the touch today.

I use this product for the species I keep. I'm not sure I'd use it for a kingsnake. Go ahead and use it for now and when you run out consider switching to something else.

You should consider asking these same questions over on the Kingsnake forum if you haven't already.

What type of Kingsnake is this?
-----
Current snakes:

0.2 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Silver/Yellow)

3.3 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Green)

2.1 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black)

3.3 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black & Tan)

First off you do not need to use UV light for any snake, or a house bulb. What you need to use icandesent bulbs. One for the day time and one for night time. Exo terra makes a lot of icandesent bulbs. And they work quite well. Check at your pet store if they have any and if they do they should have a free brocure . On the last page is a guide that shows which animals need certain bulbs. If the pet store doesn't have any bulbs than you can go to the web site I think it is www.exoterra.com Also do not use that crap for a substrate use reptile mulch. And last of all if you are useing a heat lamp (which you should be) you do not need a heating pad.

i beg to differ there bud...

You can use a normal house bulb just make surte it doesnt make the temps sky rocket, and heat pads are better than bulbs any day. i agree with the getting rid of bed a beast crap it will make it way to humid in the cage. just get aspen or newspaper that will be fine.

ken

for your veiwing pleasure

-----
0.1 Albino Cal. King (Fokker)
1.0 Reverse Okeetee Corn (trouble)
0.1 Creamsicle Corn (Spot)
0.0.2 Anery (Thanks Jimmy)
1.2 Dogs(2 Boxers, Cookie and Joe, Lhasa Apso, George)
1.0 Betta
0.1 Wife
0.1 Kid

King snakes do not need UV lighting. Has for the other bulbs, I heat with a under the tank heater (UTH). I think and feel it works better for me. I have 2 UTH (10 to 20 gallon) on my 20 gallon long tank. I keep my house cold (68 and below). So when the temp rises I unplug one of them. Also, keep almost all of tank covered to keep in temp and humidity for the winter.
Also have thermometer in cage to keep eye on temp. Reason I dislike bulbs they can burn a snake if it touches it. Some snakes are not very smart.

I use aspen bedding for substrate. Newspaper and paper towels work well. Need to keep the bottom of the tank dry or the snake can get blisters.

hi newbie, i have 2 king snakes, and 2 others and no you do not need any special bulb for it a standard house one will do just fine.
we keep the house around 72 deg and a bit cooler at night, and a 60 watt bulb seem to keep the temps just about right over one side of the tank/enclosure.
as for heat pads . we learnt the hard way ie a burn snake and a cracked glass bottom on the tank. you will NEED a thermostat/ regulator if you fit one
and make sure you have 2 hides for the snakes one on each half of the tank hot and cold

have fun

Edd

-----
If you cant beat them, Shoot Them..LOL

The heat pad that cracked your tank bottom was it ZOO MED?
Luis