Care Sheet for King SnakesAverage Rating Given To This Care Sheet Is 4.81 (1=lowest, 5=highest) Last Updated: 05/18/2006 |
Main Category: | Snakes |
Sub Category: | King Snakes |
Care Sheet Submitted By: | Armyguy |
Years Experience: | 5 to 10 Years |
Species: | California Kingsnake |
Other Species or Phases this Care Sheet May Cover: | Kingsnakes |
Sexing and Characteristics: | Sometimes the sex of many kings can be determined by simply observing the tail, this of course requires some experience, and is not entirely accurate. It is best to take your snake to the vet and have them probe the snake for you. King snakes average about 5 ft, but sometimes reach 6 ft. My snake is about 5 1/2 ft. They tend to be very muscular and can easily overtake prey. |
Mostly Active During: | Both |
Substrate and Water Needs: | Substrates depend on the type of person you are. If you want to take the easy road, you can simply use newspaper. If you are the person who likes the natural look and loves to spoil your reptile, I would recommend using a mixture of Eco-Earth coconut fiber and repti-bark. It creates a natural look and allows your snake to burrow itself. Just make sure that when you do use the Eco-Earth make sure that it is dry when you house your snake. Wet substrate can cause problems for your king. The most common is belly rot.
Water---- Like i said before if your are taking the easy route, then a water dish is perfect. But, if you are looking for a more natural look, I would suggest a Exo-Terra Granite Rock Dish, it has a very natural look and varies in sizes. |
Lighting and UVB: | Some may say lighting is not important, I think otherwise. How would you like to live in constant darkness? I provide my king snake with a natural light cycle of about 12 hours of light / darkness. It is easier if you have a timer, you will not have to worry about your snake. If not, make sure that you are home to tend to your snake. It is only completely necessary if you are planning to breed your king. |
Temperatures and Humidity: | Temperature--- It is very important to make sure that your reptile has the required heat to survive. It is best to keep one end of the cage between 80-90 and the other 70-80. This will allow your snake to thermoregulate itself and choose its desired temperature. Try using heat strips to monitor the temperature in the terrarium. Never use heat rocks, they are way to hot and will burn your snake.
Humidity--- It is not necessary to provide a humid environment because kings are dessert dwelling snakes. |
Heating and Equipment: | The best heat lamp for heating requirements would be Zoo Med Basking Spot Lamp Bulbs. They are good for heating and lighting. Clamp-lamps are the best and are very easy to use. Some people like to provide under tank heat pads. This isn’t a bad idea considering that the sun heats up rocks which stay warm long after the sun goes down. |
Caging Provided: | I have heard that people house their fully grown kings in 20 gallon tanks. It is sufficient but, I couldn’t subject my snake to that. I use a 6o gallon tank with live plants and natural looking decor. I tend to spoil my snake just a bit. |
Diet: | Carnivorous |
Description of Diet: | Hatchlings can eat pinkies, sub-adults can eat fuzzies and adults can eat common mice. If you cant watch your snake eat a live mouse then frozen mice would be your best bet. Otherwise live mice are a staple diet. It can be dangerous because they tend to bite. Solution- 1) swing them around in a bag, 2) thump them on the edge of a table to knock some sense out of them. Its a little cruel, but if you see the mouse bite your snake you will understand. |
Supplements, Nutrition and Usage: | Supplements are not required but will greatly increase the health and lifespan of your king. I use T-Rex 2:0 Calcium/ No Phosphorous powder supplement with vitamins every time i feed my king. |
Maintenance: | I suggest cleaning the cage weekly. For example, clearing the cage of any defecation, wiping off any defecation that is one decor, and /or wiping the inside of the cage clearing water spots or smudges. Check the water daily, especially if your snake tends to defecate in the water bowl. Snakes will shed their skin periodically. When they do, the first sign is cloudy eyes and dull coloration on the scales. During this time, try not to handle them or feed them. The snake needs this time to complete the shedding process. It might help the shedding process if you lightly mist the cage with a spray bottle. The added humidity will greatly help the snake. |
Some Words on this Species: | King snakes are great snakes. They are easy to take care of and great for beginners. I would not allow children to tend to a snake without adult supervision. It can lead to a child losing the snake, possibly even being bitten. This can be very frightening to a child. |
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