Kingsnake ?

[kpsammy]

Are Cal Kings as easy to keep as corn snakes are? What are their difficulties, if any?

 

[tricksterpup]

Are Cal Kings as easy to keep as corn snakes are? What are their difficulties, if any?

They are always hungry and can get a bit aggressive due to having a bottomless pit for a stomach.

 

[The_Thunderer]

I will agree with tricksterpup with the addition that when they get older, their feeding response is still high, but they will rarely, rarely bite. You can grab (without really being cautious) an older king snake off the road and not get bitten 99 out of a 100 times (at least in my experience). I caught one last year and, right after catching it, spent 2 hours finishing a movie before I went and set its tank up. LOL.

I think they're GREAT pet snakes. If not on par with corns, very close behind. They also come in a variety of morphs as well, but not nearly as many as corns.

When you hold a healthy king and they start trying to feel secure by squeezing your hand, you'll KNOW you have a KING on your arm. They are some strong snakes.

You DO have to get used to the little ones. They tend to musk and may accidentally bite you when hungry (crazy feeding response) - which, as tricksterpup has said - can be ALL the time. I feed my kings last... because if someone refuses a meal, the king WILL eat it.

IMO, you CANNOT go wrong in getting a king.

 

[tyflier]

I'll third what the others have said. Cal kings make great pet snakes. They are generally docile, but have a voracious appetite and a feeding response to match it. Just be watchful, and you should get along just fine. Much like The Thunderer, I have caught many Cal kings, and the majority are quite comfortable with being held freshly plucked from the road.

This picture is taken literally 3 minutes after picking him up off the road...and he took f/t right out of the forceps the next morning:

As regards their care...I keep them under the same conditions as my corns with no issues...

 

[Nanci]

My Cali King is the sweetest snake of all. She has never bitten and as a baby never musked, but as an adult will musk maybe once every few months if startled when getting her out. Good eater. Very calm- can sit through a whole movie.

 

[snakewispera snr]

I can't add anymore to this thread.....Except... Ty, that photo you put up is priceless. The look in both your eyes is one of wonder (your daughter) and pride (you)... Thanks for sharing a precious moment with us.....

 

[Nanci]

Can you imagine having a dad that took you out road cruising at that age? So lucky!!!

 

[LBoz]

Can you imagine having a dad that took you out road cruising at that age? So lucky!!!

Not only that, but he's gorgeous, too! :cheers:

I LOVE my kingsnakes. Both are petstore purchases, one that Dean picked up a couple years ago that I just got. He's such a sweetpea. He likes wrapping himself around my ankles and just hanging out. My 6 mo old was really nippy at first, but now is very docile and sweet. She's a voracious eater, while the older one is a bit more of a refined diner, but I don't think he's ever refused a meal for Dean, nor has he from me in the short time I've owned him. I really enjoy them both.

 

[kpsammy]

Thank you all for your great responses! I am considering a Cal King for my next pet. I do remember catching many as a kid when I was sent out to Grandma's in the boonies long ago and I have fond memories of them. I don't remember ever getting bitten either, which is a lot to say for a snake getting caught by some kid. (Even though I really have no fear of being bitten, I understand they do it out of fear or some other natural response.) Sounds like they're pretty easy keepers too.

Tyflier- what an absolutely precious picture. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Nanci]

Mine is a refined eater, too. She's been fired from her job as garbage disposal, and the Florida Kings have taken her place. Not that she'd turn down an extra here and there.

 

[Kokopelli]

From my experience they have the potential of being just as docile as corns.