Hello. I bought a California Kingsnake several years ago and I was thinking about releasing it (in California), but I have some questions I was hoping someone here could answer.

1. Would it be able to revert to its natural instincts and survive or would it just be dead in a few days?

2. Where would it have the best chance of surviving (lake, mountain, woods etc)?

To be clear I am aware that I could just sell the snake, but the point is to release it because I feel terrible for keeping and outdoors animal in a cage, and I didn't understand that when I purchased it. Thank you in advance your time reading/replying to this.