Care Sheet for King SnakesAverage Rating Given To This Care Sheet Is 4.00 (1=lowest, 5=highest) Last Updated: 01/02/2006 |
Main Category: | Snakes |
Sub Category: | King Snakes |
Care Sheet Submitted By: | Burgerman |
Years Experience: | 5 to 10 Years |
Species: | Queretaro King Snake |
Other Species or Phases this Care Sheet May Cover: | most mountain king and milk snakes |
Sexing and Characteristics: | This is a beautiful king snake that doens’t get too big, attaining about 20-30 inches in length. This snake has bright red, black, and white bands. |
Mostly Active During: | Night |
Substrate and Water Needs: | I use aspen bedding, but those of you who are lazier will do fine with paper towel or newspaper. You should try to stay away from sand for this species, because sand can be too hard to clean some times, and also, aspen bedding, paper towel, and newspaper are all substrates that go fine with this species.
Water should be kept in a big bowl, because this snake likes to soak in the water. REMEMBER TO ALWAYS HAVE CLEAN, FRESH WATER IN THE TERRARIUM. I cannot stress this enough. The water is extremely important for the snake’s shedding. If there is no water during shedding, the snake will develop serious problems which will result in death if conditions are’nt changed quick enough.
Lightly misting the terrarium every day or so will not hurt the snake, and it’s a great idea just to maintain a light humidity inside the tank. |
Lighting and UVB: | You do not need a UVB tube for the cage, though it wouldn’t hurt. You can use a heating bulb, but it isn’t needed. The heating bulb would probably be needed for decoration. WHAT IS needed though is a night lamp. This lamp is easily obtained at all big pet stores, such as Pets Mart and Pet Co. This lamp is purple and gives off some heat, and it makes observing the snake at night easier. Remember, this is a NIGHT lamp. |
Temperatures and Humidity: | I try to maintain my tank at 60-70 degrees F. The humidity should be anywhere from 30-50%. This humidity level is easy to keep during the day just by having a water dish. |
Heating and Equipment: | I use a heat strip for one end which is turned off at night. I keep some heat in the tank at night with a purple heat lamp. During the day I also have a UVB tube.
It is critical for there to be a hiding spot for this snake, because it will get too stressed out and die. Since I have aspen bedding and a water bowl in the tank, the snake always either burrows in the bedding, or rests under the bowl. |
Caging Provided: | This snake doesn’t demand a very large cage. I keep babies in small, 5 gallon cages. Those Critter Keeper things are perfect for small ones. As it grows, I keep the snake in a low, 20 gallon tank. This should suit the snake just fine. Also, try to keep the snake in a room with little human activity, because this tends to be a very easily stressed out snake. |
Diet: | Carnivorous |
Description of Diet: | The babies are easily started off with pinky mice. If you didn’t get a captive bred snake, then chances are you’re going to have some trouble getting the snake to eat mice, because in the wild this kingsnake, like all other kingsnakes, eats other reptiles. To get your snake to eat mice, get an anole or any other lizard(Anoles are just on average very cheap). Rub the anole on the mouse, and give it to the snake. This should do it, and if it doesn’t, get some anole blood on the mouse, and you should be fine. You’ll have to do this for anywhere from 2-4 feedings.
The larger the snake gets, switch to bigger mice, but since this snake is small/medium, you wont have to get very big food items. |
Supplements, Nutrition and Usage: | N/A |
Maintenance: | Change water every day(A MUST) and clear up feces as soon as you see them. |
Some Words on this Species: | This is a very beautiful snake. If you take good care of it and abide to this sheet, you should have a happy and healthy snake. If you still have questions, consult any book about kingsnakes, because care for this snake is similar to almost all the other kingsnakes.
***EXTREMELY IMPORTANT*** Try not to handle this kingsnake very often, or at all, because this snake can get very easily stressed out. Just changing water or changing bedding can get the snake very nervous and it will defecate. This isn’t the right animal for you if you want a pet you can cuddle and play with. BUT, this is an exceptional display animal. |
How Members Rated
This Care Sheet | Rate This Care Sheet
Please keep all comments constructive to Queretaro King Snake husbandry methods and care. Any degrading, sarcastic, or disrespectful comments will be removed. |
Total Members Rating: 1
| 1 |  ( 0 ) |
| 2 |  ( 0 ) |
| 3 | ( 0 ) |
| 4 | ( 1 ) |
| 5 | ( 0 ) |
|
|
