Need some information on King Snakes

[Sweetseraph]

So hubby finds my corns a little boring and wants something "different". I would be amenable to the idea of a King, as I hear they make great garbage disposal units. :eatpointe

I showed him a few pictures and he likes the MBK and I like them too. I like the Scarlet King, but he didn't seem to. I checked around and I'm finding a wide disparity in the general opinions and care of Kings/Milks in general. For instance, some say that the care is exactly the same as a corn, but I'm seeing recommendations of heat up to 90 F. There's also the behavior issue. Some say Kings can be really nasty, some say they don't really deserve that rep and also that MBKs in particular are more mellow.

As for the garbage disposal thing...how does that work if you end up feeding him several mice that other snakes had refused? Do you let him go longer between feedings if he ate more? How much can they really eat?? LOL And if you were to give him a kinked hatchling, do you feed it live or kill it first.

 

[Nanci]

I think it's very difficult to find a captive bred scarlet king, who eats rodents...I'd give up on that. There are tons of other tri-colored kings or milks, though. I have a Cali king, Choco, who is my favorite snake of all. She would never bite, but can musk if startled. She is definitely not a garbage disposal.

I have the two Florida kings, Jake and Janine. They would typically eat a jumbo mouse or a chick. So I don't feed them till everyone else is done, to see what is leftover. I wouldn't hesitate to feed two or three normal adult mice, and then if they need to do clean-up again, even the next day, I'd still offer (and they would take) something small. None of my kings will eat slugs. I think the Floridas might eat hatchlings. Someone here fed a live hatchling, and said they wouldn't do it again. I think most people feed culled hatchlings as FT.

Then I have Jewel the Appalachicola. She can be ravenous and do a nice job of clean up, or she can refuse. Refusing is rare.

I had Inez the Nelsons. She was flighty and somewhat finicky.

I keep mine exactly the same as corns.

 

[dickdeuel]

Your husbands choice of a Mexican black king is a great choice. They are a beautiful glossy black and a gentle disposition. The pair I have now are great feeders and would never attempt to bite. A similar choice if you want an all black snake is the black milk snake. They get somewhat larger and are a little more docile. They start out as a tricolor and change to all black in a couple years.

Scarlet kings are very pretty but a pain to maintain. They are hard to convert to pinky mice and to keep them feeding. I have one that never wants to be handled and is always hidden.

California kings are nice, but can be quirky. They are not as laid back as the Eastern kings and some can be a problem feeder at times. They can be more active and visible in the daytime.

A good second choice is the Florida king. They are easy to work with, great feeders on just about anything. They come in a variety of colors and price ranges (check out; bluerosy.com) They get large (6'+) and have that strong, muscular feel.

If you feed hatchling snakes to an adult kingsnake, he will not kill it but eat it alive. You may want to kill them first!

 

[tyflier]

Kingsnake care is generally the same as cornsnake care. Obviously, there are some minor differences that are sub-species dependant, and will require moderate adjustments to temperature and humidity. Mountain kings like it cooler than desert kings. Florida kings like it more humid than California kings. Knowing which subspecies interests you most will help give you better care guidelines.

As for kings being "garbage disposals"...that is also going to depend on the subspecies. I would never consider a greyband, thayeri, greeri, mexicana, Scarlet King, or Mountain King as a garbage disposal. They are relatively small and specialize in lizards and other snakes in the wild, and can sometimes be reluctant with rodents. California and Florida kings, and Honduran milks, seem to make the best garbage disposals, but I would also include Eastern, Speckled, and Desert kings, as well. They are big snakes that are very opportunistic and eat just about anything you give them 90% of the time.

Mexican Black Kings are a nice snake. Very pretty with a glossy black "oil slick" coloration. They are relatively hearty eaters, though not a true "garbage disposal" in my opinion. They are semi-arid dwellers, preferring slightly warmer temps and less humidity than corns, but will do just fine under cornsnake care guidelines.

Most kingsnake species are fairly flighty as babies, and can be a bit bitey, as well. They musk, thrash, and bite to get away, but they generally settle down fairly quickly and usually grow in to very pleasant adults.