King Snake –
Housing these snakes can be great if you have the right equipment! King Snakes are known for escaping their enclosures so you want to make sure that they are kept in a tank which does not have an opening/ latched top, they must be in a tank which has a friont opening sliding door with a lock. They must be kept on their own in case any fighting or biting occurs with a cage-mate. Hatchlings can start out in a 10 gallon tank, middle sized in a 20 gallon tank and fully grown snakes will need a much larger enclosure such as a 60 gallon tank. It is important that they get the room they need to be active and stretch. This can also prevent respiratory problems.
For a new snake substrates such as paper towels or butcher paper will be ideal for easy cleaning and to make sure the snake is free of parasites. Once your snake has got used to his new habitat, substrates such as indoor/outdoor carpeting, reptile bark, mulch or aspen shavings are suitable. Never use cedar, redwood or pine. If you use shavings make sure that it isn’t consumed with the food. Astroturf is a good way to go, you can have two pieces cut to fit the cage, and once one has been soiled you can replace it with the other (then clean the soiled one ready to use again). Cleanliness is very important, so make sure that whatever you choose can be cleaned as often as necessary.
Several hides should be provided for your snake, anything from half rounds of bark to overturned flower pots to coconut shells and even cardboard boxes! Also a selection of rocks and branches is recommended.
King Snakes need a heat gradient of around 76-86F (24-30C) in their enclosure during the day, at night the temperature is allowed to drop to around 70-74F (21-23C) the gradient should be horizontal as well as vertical, and hides should be provided at each end of the gradient. A lot of owners use under tank heaters which are placed under half the tank. Do not use hot rocks as this can be harmful.
King snakes should be fed fully grown mice. The same size as the width of the snakes body, (excluding its head) around once a week unless it becomes lean (body not rounded, start to see back bone or ribs). Young snakes should be fed twice a week. King snakes tend to eat less in the fall and winter; this is okay as long as it maintains good body condition.
At first, you should leave the snake to settle for a few days before handling. When you do start to handle him he may be defensive and try to get away, it’s a possibility that he may produce a rather nasty smell from his anal glands as a defence but don’t worry it isn’t harmful (just smelly!) Regurgitation is also common in these snakes, so be careful not to handle him to much after a meal. Please ring Appleton Exotics petshop for any further information.
