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My cousins gave me their snake because they were unable to care for him any more and they had no time for him. He is known to be a bit of an escape artist and was lost in the sewage system for a brief time noons could find him until he actually came back himself. He's albino and I believe he's around 2 1/2 feet though my friend thinks he's bigger he's really not that big around about the size of my thumb at the thickest he's got some darker yellow bands or spots about his body. He's extreamly friendly hasn't made a move to bite or anything the only time he hissed was when I first met him they didn't have a heat lamp and it was freezing where he was and he shook the end of his tail as if he could rattle it and made a short hiss noise. We now have a lovely cage for him a glass tank with water bedding and a bark thing we have a heat lamp and a uv light. He seems very comfortable now and isn't burrowing into the bedding they didn't tell me how old he is so I really don't know but my cousin said he was a California king snake. He's not terribly big but is very nice. And I'm not really sure if it's a he... Just seems to be a handsome guy to me. Could anyone tell me what kind of snake he is?

Whoops I don't think the picture showed up

http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n613/Mousiez/Mobile Uploads/IMG_0853.jpg

Yes, that's an amelanistic(albino) California kingsnake. It looks a bit thin, so it could stand to be fed an appropriately-sized mouse that will put a decent noticeable lump in it's mid-section. You would be surprised at how their jaws and head can stretch to accomodate a meal.

I would scratch the above heat lamp, as that can dry the heck out of the air in the enclosure, and make it difficult to shed and go with a heating pad on ONLY about 1/3rd of the area underneath the enclosure to where a good desired temp on the warm side would be low to mid 80's, and the cooler side can be your regular room temp in the mid 70's. They need to be able to get to warmth when they want to properly digest their meals.

Also, put a tight fitting hide box on both ends of the enclosure so the snake feels secure. The UVB really isn't necessary either, but you can have it on above when you want to look at the snake for a while if you want. They are nocturnal, and really don't need to bask in daylight UVB for any benefit such as an Iguana would need to to synthesize vitamin D, etc..

I would also suggest that you get an inexpensive book on kingsnakes too. These are VERY helpful in the basic needs, and will help you avoid major problems that can arise. This is FAR better than waiting until problems come up and jeopardize the snake's health, because they will if you don't know their basic husbandry needs.

This is an "Outer Banks" kingsnake eating an appropriately-sized meal.

anyway, good luck with your new Cal. king!

~Doug

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"a snake in the grass is a GOOD thing"

my website -serpentinespecialties.webs.com

Thanks sooo much ^.^ really huge help! Yeah I thought he was a bit on the thin side I was going to take a run down to my local reptile store tomorrow and bring him along so someone could show ms the appropriate sized mousie for him because I was concerned that he's pretty small and I wouldn't want to get something too big. I'll be sure to pick up a book while I'm there! I got a hidey thing for him from a good friend today and put that in there checked it out but hasn't really spent much time near it. I'll be sure to get a warming pad thing for him and ditch the lamp too. Will his bright yellow markings become more visible as he gets bigger cause as of now they are fairly faint but either way I think he's charming

Congrats on your new snake. It sounds like he's in much better care now.

From your description and the picture it looks as though he should be able to eat small adult mice or large fuzzy rats. When eating kings can be eating machines so I would be prepared with at least 2 food items at a time. Then don't be surprised that with the right temps if he isn't out looking for more in 5-7 days. With young snakes since so much of the food energy goes into growth you can feed more often and a little heavier than as adults.

It is possible with good feeding and a little time his yellow may intensify some. You'll know either way after 2 or 3 sheds as he grows as long as you follow Doug's advice and keep him in good condition which it sounds like you will.

Good luck and if you need help you know where to come. Now you can post in the Kingsnake forum. woohoo.
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BigT
There is a difference between ignorance and stupidity. The ignorant can be taught, stupidity is beyond our control.
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