Care Sheet for King SnakesAverage Rating Given To This Care Sheet Is 4.00 (1=lowest, 5=highest) Last Updated: 12/27/2006 |
Main Category: | Snakes |
Sub Category: | King Snakes |
Care Sheet Submitted By: | Plymsands |
Years Experience: | Under 1 Year |
Species: | Californian king snake |
Other Species or Phases this Care Sheet May Cover: | other similar king snakes |
Sexing and Characteristics: | To be safe get it sexed by a vet or professional, there is a slight difference between the tails but unless you have experience i would definitely get it seen to by a pro just to be sure. |
Mostly Active During: | Night |
Substrate and Water Needs: | Young snakes: As they are kept in a smaller enclosure only a small water bowl is needed, this is mainly to stop too much humidity building up and causing health problems for your snake. As always change every day and disinfect every week if the snake has defecated in it. For substrate the best by far is newspaper or absorbents kitchen towels, these are easy to clean and replace when needed.
Adults: Need a large enough water bowl to soak in, and should be kept on the cool side of the enclosure, as with juveniles clean daily and disinfect weekly if the snake has defecated. For substrate the snakes do seem to prefer more naturalistic wood chippings as they can easily dig and burrow plus waste is easily absorbed and wont stay moist for long. But if you want to take the easy route then newspaper again is recommended for ease to change but not preferred by your snake. |
Lighting and UVB: | Seeing as these tend to be more active at night, lighting is not necessary but a day/night cycle can only be better for the snake. But i do recommend infrared lights as they do bring out the setting of the enclosure and make viewing of the snake easier. Do not allow the snake to come in contact with a naked bulb as these are nearly always too hot and will cause burns. |
Temperatures and Humidity: | A basking spot of up to 85-89 degrees F with the cooler side of the enclosure down to about 72- 75 degrees F. Drop the temperature by about 5-10 degrees F at night. Remember to have a temperature gradient as snakes need to thermoregulate or their health and personality will deteriorate. And also provide a hiding spot at both the hot and cool side of the tank. |
Heating and Equipment: | For young snakes still in the small enclosure the best thing to use a heat mat connected to a controlling thermostat to keep it at the right temperature. and for adults either a heat mat or a well guarded heat bulb can be used to keep the right temps.
Equipment you will need:
Water bowl
Hiding places
Somewhere to keep the snake whilst cleaning the enclosure
Thermometers (at both ends of the tank)
A humidity box to aid shedding
A log or some suitable plants to give the snake something to explore and also a log can be used to aid shedding. |
Caging Provided: | For young snakes i feel it should be roughly 3/4s the length of the snake as it needs to be small enough for it to feel safe but large enough to allow freedom and exercise. but when the snake outgrows this it can be put in an enclosure that should last it the rest of its like. But keep in mind some Cali king snakes grow larger than others. But i feel a 4x2x2 is a good size for almost any adult of this species, and if you want larger remember for these, floor space is more important than height as they aren’t the best climbers in the world and would rather stay near ground level. |
Diet: | Carnivorous |
Description of Diet: | As with most corn and rat snakes just feed a suitably sized mouse which is about the size of the widest part of the snakes body. And another good thing about these snakes is unless they have a serious problem they should feed whenever offered. There are 2 ways to go about feeding, offer one large mouse a week or 2 or 3 smaller ones a week, it is alot easier just to feed one larger one a week both for quicker growth and easier maintenance. Remember to avoid handling for a couple days after feeding to avoid regurgitation. |
Supplements, Nutrition and Usage: | None |
Maintenance: | Spot cleaning when needed, clean up any wet patches asap to stop the growth of mold and keep down humidity. Clean enclosure a few times a year with a low percentage bleach solution, and do same with water bowl once a week if has been soiled. But allow enclosure to air first before putting the snake back in. |
Some Words on this Species: | I personally feel these are just as good as corn snakes as a general or starter snake, They come in a wide variety of patterns and slight colour variations. They become very docile very quickly and will never bite unless in fear of their life, and would rather rattle their tail, but once in hand they will calm down but just remember that if given the chance they will run for cover so keep a careful eye. But all in all and easy snake to keep with a lovely temperament. |
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