Care Sheet for King SnakesAverage Rating Given To This Care Sheet Is 0 (1=lowest, 5=highest) Last Updated: 09/11/2007 |
Main Category: | Snakes |
Sub Category: | King Snakes |
Care Sheet Submitted By: | Anonymous |
Years Experience: | 5 to 10 Years |
Species: | California Kingsnakes/Various Kingsnakes |
Other Species or Phases this Care Sheet May Cover: | This can also be used to reference care for Milksnakes & Cornsnakes as well. |
Sexing and Characteristics: | Sexing should be done by a qualified Herp Vet only, when the snake is more mature. |
Mostly Active During: | Both |
Substrate and Water Needs: | For substrate, I personally use Ground English Walnut Shell. It has the feel and appearance of sand (as these are desert dwelling snakes), but is less abrasive, so it should not harm the digestive tract in the event that your snake swallows some with its food. Substrate is a personal preference. NEVER use CEDAR, PINE, or REDWOOD shavings though! These woods can be TOXIC to your reptile! |
Lighting and UVB: | Some say that snakes do not need special lighting, but i do not agree with this notion. In their natural environments, they have a day/night cycle, as should they in their captive environment. I use Zoo Med bulbs, as they have been proven to have the BEST UVA/UVB output of any other bulb on the market. Stay away from infrared bulbs, as these do not have adequate UVA/UVB output for reptiles, even though they are marketed for them. |
Temperatures and Humidity: | Your snake will need a hot side & a cool side. The hot side should be between 85-90 degrees Fahrenheit & the cool side between 70-75 degrees. Kingsnakes do not need high humidity as they are desert dwelling creatures. Humidity is recommend around 50%. Despite some opinions to increase it during their shed cycle, i have never had a problem with keeping it at 50%, being that the desert doesn’t magically get humid just because a snake is shedding! |
Heating and Equipment: | A great heating device is an under tank heater (UTH). It heats the substrate naturally from the bottom up. NEVER use heat rocks, as your snake can lay on them & "cook" themselves to death. Also, make sure you have proper wattage on your light bulb to give your snake a basking spot.
You will need a water dish large enough for the snake to soak its entire body in. I use Exo Terra’s granite rocks, as these are heavy enough that the snake cant move them around the cage. This water dish also has a natural texture, which can aid the snake in sloughing during its shed cycle.
You will need 2 hide boxes, one on the cool side & one on the hot side. That way, the snake feels secure with which ever side he is on.
A pair of feeding tongs is also recommended, as you do not want to feed your snake by hand, you may get bitten! |
Caging Provided: | Hatchlings can start in a 10 gallon tank. You can gradually move up in cage sizes if you are rich, or you can just go and purchase a 50 gallon, which is what i use. I do not agree that snakes get "stressed out" with too much room to roam. in the wild they have no enclosure, and as long as they have adequate hide boxes, this should not be an issue. |
Diet: | Carnivorous |
Description of Diet: | Hatchlings depending on size, can start with pinkie mice. If they are too small for pinkies, feeder snakes or lizards can be used.
The largest prey item you will have to feed your King at maturity is a mouse.
Kings also eat frogs, birds & lizards-as well as other snakes-NEVER house a Kingsnake with another snake! Not even another King! |
Supplements, Nutrition and Usage: | I use a product called Bio Mist, it contains essential electrolytes to rapidly rehydrate your snake if a problem with illness, etc ever arises. It also helps rehydrate them from the stress of travel. When i get a new snake home, i always spray them with this.
I also use something called Shedding Aid when they are in their shed cycle. It may not be necessary, but it helps their skin slough off easily. NEVER take your snakes shed off him though. Allow it to occur naturally. You could injure or rip off its scales!
I also use a water conditioner in their water dish to free it of chlorine and contaminants. |
Maintenance: | Spot clean cage daily & change water daily.
Once a week i do a full substrate change & clean the entire cage & its furniture with "Wipe Out 2". |
Some Words on this Species: | Kingsnakes make excellent starter snakes. They feed well & in my experience, are extremely docile. They are master escape artists, however, so use care in keeping the cage secure! Hatchlings can fit thru screen lids! Take good care of your King, and you will have a happy, healthy herp! |
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