Reptile & Amphibian Forums

hello all! new to the board but not kingsnake!! anyways went to a show today and saw this beautiful 50/50 cal king! anyways i got a great deal, still a hatchling and under about 12 inch. anyways i read up on them and all, and just want to make sure i am doin everything right. its my first snake!! the wife finally gave in!! anyways i have him a 20 gallon screen top snake cage! he has the aspen bedding, a water bowl big enough to get all the way in, a cave for him and a heating pad under half the cage! now i have read leave him alone for a few days and then start to tame him. any pointers? he seems real skittish! he even vibrates his tail like a rattler "which is interesting" but i think he was mad? anyways any tips are appreciated thnx

Most babies are skittish, and even some adults are, my 3' female still rattles her tail. So does my 2' 04 male.

I say your best at leaving him alone, period, or try handling him occasionally. Babies aren't really tameable, and tend to be jumpy until they get longer and get some girth to them.

Your set up seems fine, after about a week start offering food.

Mike
Michael's Place

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cool, thnx for the info, also i mis spoke, he is about 16-18 inches! i would really like it to be tame, since it being my first snake and all! is there anyway to let it get use to me? any methods? thnx for all suggestions

For my new arrivals i like to use retractable colubrid hook

snakes are much easier to control with a hook it also eliminates a lot of stress

good tip, i will try it and see what happens