Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello. I am adopting a snake that I was told is a king, but from the description I was given, there is a slight chance it's a corn. The woman who has the snake is anything but a snake lover, but she coulden't watch this snake be mistreated the way it was and she took him/her in untill she could find a better place (the origional owner was about to set this poor guy/gal free out in a field here in Michigan!). She also had to find a home for her son's pet ball python because he lost interest and she has been caring for it.

I decided since I was going to take the BP from her (I am a BP girl, have been working with BPs for about 5 years, have and have had quite a few, so I know what I am doing here) I would take the king too just so he didn't end up with someone who doesn't want to take the time/effort to properly care for him.

My only problem now is that this will be my first snake other than ball pythons (and a few wild garters/water snakes that I rehabed) so I am used to BP care and not sure what Kings require. I of course will be spending the next few days (I get them this weekend) reading up on every care sheet I can find and setting up a proper enclosure for him/her, but I was wondering if you experienced king keepers can give me the basics and any tips. I know most of the caresheets for any species will vary from sheet to sheet, so if those who really know what there doing could tell me there specs, I would really appreciate it! Thanks a bunch!

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"Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are." - Kurt Cobain

"You laugh at me because I am different; I laugh at you because you are all the same."

~~ Krystal ~~

Basically, care is much the same. At least a 20-gallon tank setup, temperature gradation, at least 2 hiding spots. The more natural your setup, the better.

Some people prefer to feed frozen/thawed, but that is mostly for THEIR convenience. I always feed live. Let the snake enjoy stalking, there is little else they can do when caged.

Across more than 2 decades, with several snakes of various species, I've never seen a snake seriously hurt by its prey. If it is, I'd be inclined to get a more aggressive snake. If it does not feed right away, however, I remove the mouse and try again the next day or two.

I also handle frequently, and let them play supervised. They love couches and boxes, even your workout bag.

In general, Kings are more active & inquisitive than many Balls Pythons or Corns, but this can vary. Like you and I, they can be quite individual.

Basking spot should have temperatures in the mid 80s, nightime can be room temperature - forget the official literature that CAUTIONS! against temperatres lower than 70 degrees. (Most North American snakes can safely take overnight temperatures as low as the high 40s, as long as they can warm the next day. I saw a turtle basking last Christmas Day, at around 60 degrees! The night before was 38 degrees.)

There are many great care books. See if you can find one at the library first before you buy. My favorite:

Care & Maintenance of Common Kingsnakes
David Perlowin

Hey Ameron! Great choice - I have that book also (and a whole crap load of others, lol). It is MY favorite book also and has some NICE pics in it!
Good pointers - I have to agree with your info as well. If none of those work, she can just send ME the snake - Just kidding!!!

Zee
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"I am an expert on everything, but I know so little and have so much to learn!" -Carsten "Zee" Zoldy-

"The General Care and Maintenance of Common Kingsnakes" by David Perlowin. Excellent book.
And now if everone will look on page 52, bottom picture, from Bill Love. I have to say, I really love that snake.

Steve

Thanks. Oh and the person adopting him/her out to me finally got her digital camera working, definitly a Cali King.

I have the basics then, he/she comes with a 40 gallon (or so I am told, looks bigger in the pics) aquarium with locking lid, hides, heavy bowl, climbing branches, heat pad, etc...

I think I was just worried about temp/humidity differentials between the two species.

Although I NEVER feed live, simply because I have been there/done that and had a snake that was bit by a rat (not while in my posession) and was severly handicapped by it (bite was right on the spine and the snake had a large chunk missing and could no longer move the lower 1/3 of it's body). I feed Prekilled, I breed my own rats and I don't have the space for a freezer, so it's the easiest way for me. Although I do admit to the love of watching the hunt. Unfortunatly this is the only snake hunting mouse you will see around my house.

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"Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are." - Kurt Cobain

"You laugh at me because I am different; I laugh at you because you are all the same."

~~ Krystal ~~

Winter time: 80-82 degrees during day, (no colder than 75 at night). (Do not use heat lamp - ever)
Summer time: 82-84 degrees during day, (no colder than 78 at night). (Do not use heat lamp - ever)
Feed roughly once a week. Once in a while add an extra meal to see if you have a fast grower that wants more (without getting obese of course) Meals should be only slightly wider than kingsnake's maximum girth.
Keep in dry enclosure with a heavy water bowl - just big enough for the whole snake to barely fit into (so it can soak from time to time). Place water bowl in one of the corners so snake can find its' water more easily. Provide a hide-box for security and privacy.
Oh, and kings don't just lay there all the time, like most BP's. They can become quite active and are excellent escape artists. So choose a good, strong enclosure - with a good or heavy lid on it. And keep cage out of direct sun-light, always!
I know none of this info is from a book, but are my personal observation after 25 years of keeping and breeeding many species of kings. If you have any Q's just ask (maybe I forgot something)
They can be very healthy and some CAN get big. Here's a pic of a six foot-plus Eastern Kingsnake:

Zee

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"I am an expert on everything, but I know so little and have so much to learn!" -Carsten "Zee" Zoldy-

Thanks, these tips will come in handy! If I can ask only 1 question though, why no heat lamps? I use heat tape for mine, and I think these guys have heat pads, but just out of curisoty and for future refrences.
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"Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are." - Kurt Cobain

"You laugh at me because I am different; I laugh at you because you are all the same."

~~ Krystal ~~

Heat lamps: By heat lamps, I mean bright bulbs or even those infrared light bulbs that put out way to much heat for snakes, They do work great on a lot of lizard species though.
If you want to use lamps for heat (for snakes), I would use only 40 watt max. regular bulbs with those (metal lamp shades)& clamps lamps that you can buy at any Wal-mart. When using these, be sure that the cage is WELL ventilated, so that the heat does not accumulate and rise beyond the snake's safe tolerance. I have used them before with well ventilated cages many years ago. But I have found that a lot of them still get too warm for most snakes, so I don't use them - It's not worth the risk.

Zee
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"I am an expert on everything, but I know so little and have so much to learn!" -Carsten "Zee" Zoldy-

OK, understandable. The only lights I have ever used are the day/night red bulbs and they have always been high enough above the cage to not get too hot. I did plan on possibly using them next year, but they will be on thermostats and timers and I will make sure to keep it well ventalated! Thanks!

They're droping these guys off today, I will try to get some good pics to post! The pictures she sent me were REALLY blurry and from a REALLY cheap camera, but he/she LOOKS like a nice 50/50 banded Cali. Now, my plan was just to give this little guy a place where he will be taken care of properly, but in my persuit of knowledge about the species, I fell in love with many of the different variants and I may just breed some kingsnakes down the road! I just need to find someone in my area that will probe, I only know sex of 2 of my BPs, so I really could use some help there and I am not willing to pop, expecially with them all being older snakes and one of them is still just skin and bones (when she got here she was nearly starved to death and had burns all over her belly).

Might have to take a trip to visit B.H.B. at some point too, check out his collection and chat about possible future business.

Well Thanks again for the info, it'll help alot!
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"Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are." - Kurt Cobain

"You laugh at me because I am different; I laugh at you because you are all the same."

~~ Krystal ~~

Zee-
Great advice, but you need to say that there is also a risk from other heat sources, including tape. I have had one fire start and know of others that have had similiar experiences--that's why I heat the room and use 40watt nightlights for a LITTLE extra heat. Works for me but then I am lucky to be able to keep the critters in one place. But I have set up a number of 20-longs in our living space with a 40watt at one end (in a metal fixture!) and it has done a good job.

Pat

I do understand the dnagers with any heating eliment. I have been using heat tape for years now and I can see how easy it would be to start a fire. Luckily I haven't had that problem yet. I try to keep the ambiant temp. of my house about 65-70 (getting more expencive these days), but I don't have the means to heat the room for them, so I do use heat tape. Hopefully next year we will be getting a bigger place and I will be able to have a climate controlled room for them though. I do plan on breeding, at least BPs, I know temperature gets much more important when it comes to breeding and I plan to be pretty maticulous about it.

I want to thank all of you who responded, it really is a big help. It's nice to know there is such a good community to back me up here, and I appreciate the warnings and those who have shared there knowledge and experiences with me.

I have them both here and setup now, but the king is burrowed and he/she is resting and I don't want to stress him/her out too much, so I will get pictures when he/she desides to come out and explore!
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"Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are." - Kurt Cobain

"You laugh at me because I am different; I laugh at you because you are all the same."

~~ Krystal ~~