Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi
I am new to kings. My only experience with snakes is two garter snakes that are now 6 yrs old. They are active and both live in a 30 gallon long tank.
I am interested in getting a thayeri king not sure what color yet since so many colors.
I would like to know if these are difficult snakes as so far as feeding? from reading not sure if they require lizards as babies.
I dont want a snake that like grey bandeds not a natural mouse eater but not much info available on these snakes.
What type tempermeant do they have and are they very secretive or do you see them daily?
My set up will ofcourse have a hide area over the UTH and a hide area in cool area.
Any suggestions,ideas are great. I was thinking of another 30 gallon long for it.
Thanks.

Juile,
You might want to post this question in the Mexicana Kingsnakes subforum, there are also lots of pictures of thayeri to look at. There are some very experienced thayeri keepers there. A thayeri kingsnake won't need a cage larger than 20 gallons. Thayeri kingsnakes come in a myriad and plethora of colors combinations and in my humble opinion probably the most beautiful kingsnake. They are generally secretive snakes and if you get a baby thayeri from a good breeder and the thayeri is well started on pinky mice from that breeder (don't buy without detailed feeding records), there usually isn't any feeding problems at all.
Go to the Mexicana Kingsnakes forum. I don't know to much about thayeri my little experience is in Mexican Kingsnakes (L. mex mex). Like I said there will be some very experienced thayeri keepers there who will be able to answer your questions more thoroughly.
Happy Herping,
Uncloudy

Pic of Nuevo Leon thayeri baby from 2004

Thats a magnificent looking snake. I am not familiar with all the colors of thayeri kings . Is that a thayeri ?
Lol I hope it isnt because its rather hard to chose one color. I didnt know there was a mex king forum till you pointed it out.
Thank you very much for the help.
Juile

Juile,
I have an adult male milksnake phase, Jose, who came to live with me as a rescue. His former human had had him since he was a worm, and had some problems getting him to feed as a youngster. Even now he is quirky, only eating f/t pink rats; usually 5-7 per feeding, wanting them placed "just so" in his feeding box.

Temperament wise, he is shy but not at all defensive. He doesn't musk when I pick him up, and calms down almost immediately. Then he is quite sociable. He's also one of the prettiest boys of my tri-color lampropeltis.

I'm not sure if the feeding thing is indicative of the species, or just a "Jose-thing". I do know that they are beautiful animals, and without proper restraint, the Lays potato chip motto(nobody can have just one)can apply. This is simply the experience I have had, and I wish you the best with yours should you decide to get a Thayers.

regards,
althea

Juile,
I have an adult male milksnake phase, Jose, who came to live with me as a rescue. His former human had had him since he was a worm, and had some problems getting him to feed as a youngster. Even now he is quirky, only eating f/t pink rats; usually 5-7 per feeding, wanting them placed "just so" in his feeding box.

Temperament wise, he is shy but not at all defensive. He doesn't musk when I pick him up, and calms down almost immediately. Then he is quite sociable. He's also one of the prettiest boys of my tri-color lampropeltis.

I'm not sure if the feeding thing is indicative of the species, or just a "Jose-thing". I do know that they are beautiful animals, and without proper restraint, the Lays potato chip motto(nobody can have just one)can apply. This is simply the experience I have had, and I wish you the best with yours should you decide to get a Thayers.

regards,
althea

Thank you very much for the info. I agree they are great looking snakes. I am new to kings as I have kept only garters.
After looking at pics here and on other forums I narrowed it down to thayeri and New mex milks because love the colors but the thayeris seem easier and the color patterns are incredible.
Thank you.
juile