Most Kingsnakes make excellent pet snakes. Youngsters are a bit more "alert" than say a baby cornsnake. Kings are a little more prone to be nippers and may rattle their tails. Gentle consistent handling usually calms them down although if purchased as an adult try to select a calm one unless you are experienced with snakes. A large, aggressive Florida King for example can be a less than fun pet to keep!
**WARNING** The most important difference in keeping Kings is that they must be housed seperately at all times! Kingsnakes are called "ophidiophages", meaning their natural diet includes snakes and they will prey on and eat other snakes including their own species. In the wild, they are the biggest natural predator of the Rattlesnake. They are immune to their venom and Rattlesnakes make up a large percentage of their diet. Even breeding attempts should be closely monitored at all times. Another defense mechanism of the Kingsnake is to excrete a foul smelling musk if threatened or startled. Some individuals seldom display this during handling, while others never really drop this habit. Kingsnakes are also a bit different in their eating habits. They are often "so enthusiastic" that they will grab anything in sight (see photo above), latch on, constrict and attempt to eat it! Using long feeding tongs or hemostats make for easier feeding & cause less of an association between your hands and their food. One feeding fact should be noted here: some members of the Kingsnake family are notoriously fussy eaters, prefering small lizards,or geckos. If you are not very experienced in working with a picky eater, make sure you are buying an older established feeder that is already well on pinky mice (if a baby) or mice (adults). Breeders of these specific species often list whether or not their babies are on mice yet. Kingsnakes vary in price, according to how common or rare a certain type is, what color phase it is, and whether it is a baby, a yearling or perhaps a breedable adult. They are usually easy to find through classifieds, or at herp shows, and pet shops. |
