New Snake!!

[uncwnells]

Hello everyone, after reading some of the posts and viewing some of your beautiful herps I have decided to join the club! I picked up a baby king snake that is three or four months old. She (I dont know her sex just feel like its a she) has the black and white alternating band pattern, and is very handleable. I got her and the cage thing she came in for $65 from a local serpentine rescue. Did I get a good deal?

Now onto the questions. I have her in a cage thats got about the same footprint as a ten gallon tank, only its about three or four inches tall. How long before I have to upgrade tanks? What size tank will she need for life long happiness? The guy I got her from said that I should change the bedding once a month (cleaning out the poo throughout), and to use aspen bedding. He also said that if I kept the house warmer than 70 degrees she wouldn't need a heating source. Any quams there? I will be feeding her two pinkies a week and keeping a feeding schedule on paper with details about how much she ate, etc. Thanks in advance!

 

[Z Trip]

What kind of kingsnake is it? Most get about 4-6 feet long so it would be best to provide a cage the same legth as the snake. But if you are tight on space, you can have a cage half the total lenght of your snake.

 

[uncwnells]

I am not sure I didnt know there were that many kinds! Im a total newbie sorry, I will email him and ask him the specific species, he did say that it would grow to be 4-6 feet long.

 

[dde1878]

you've got one of the coolest snake there. the best thing to do is just get a 30 gallon tank now. down the road you can build a cool enclosure with just a little money, 6 months or so. the local pet stores sell used tanks for cheap. i would put a heat source in there for the snake. an UTH (under tank heater) would be the best. they are pretty cheap online.

 

[dde1878]

o yeah forgot, Welcome to the snake world

 

[uncwnells]

o yeah forgot, Welcome to the snake world

Thanks for the advice and the welcome! She is awesome, very active and inquisitive thats for sure! I will get some pictures of her tomorrow after class. I absolutely love her colors and personality.

What are the best ways to let this little gal stretch her legs, so to speak?

 

[dde1878]

well ya got her pretty young a real good thing to do is while watching t.v. let her lay on your belly, under your shirt. this will keep her warm and get her used to your scent. if she is just to active to be there just handle her for a while then try the under the shirt thing again.

 

[uncwnells]

well ya got her pretty young a real good thing to do is while watching t.v. let her lay on your belly, under your shirt. this will keep her warm and get her used to your scent. if she is just to active to be there just handle her for a while then try the under the shirt thing again.

Shes so quick that I am scared to put her under there in fear that she might escape! Once I work up the balls though I may give it a shot!

 

[Vicious_Fish]

Sounds like you got yourself a California King Snake. Nice!

 

[dde1878]

tuck your shirt in your pants and put her in. this is the best way i have found to get young snakes tamed and used to their handler, it works miracles for hard to handle snakes.