tradernick
Just another Florida guy
For those who keep Kings...I'm considering a King for my next snake. What Kings are typically docile and easy to hyandle? I'd prefer a snake that can feed on live and f/t. Is that advisable?
Nick
Nick
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King Snakes
- Thread starter tradernick
- Start date
ArpeggioAngel
Around Here Somewhere....
Grayband kingsnakes are one of the most docile snake species I have ever seen. I have four adults, hatched my first clutch year - never had any of them ever bite or musk. Have heard the same from many others who own them as well.
tricksterpup
I has nuttin to Say.
Nick
Kings will eat anything, you do not need to feed live. Young may need to have scented food but typically they will eat frozen readily.
tyflier
[Insert Witty Commentary]
Kings are alot like corns...they are generally quite docile, with a few individual exceptions.
Like Katie, I am a HUGE fan of the greyband and mexicana varieties of king as I believe they among the most beautilf AND most docile I have ever handled.
With that said, I also LOVE the Florida king for the size, aggressive feeding responses, and the incredible diversity of color morphs available...almost(but not quite) as many as corns!
As it stands I have 1.2 greyband, and 2.2 Florida kings. The greybands are a typically smaller species, reaching lengths of right around 3 feet, where Florida kings can reach 5-6 feet. Greybands can be a little pickier about eating...make sure you get them WELL established on f/t, or they can be a pain in the hindquarters. Florida kings, on the other hand, will eat just about anything you put in front of them, and they would eat everyday if you let them.
The question of which king is right for you is really going to come down to looks. Which look intrigues you the most? What size do you hope the snake will reach? Do you want a snake that will casually and with time eat the prey you give it, or do you want a snake that might mistake your fingers for food on feeding day, and strike at anything that moves?
With SO many varieties of kingsnake available, the question becomes one of aesthetics, really...which look and size appeals to you most?
Like Katie, I am a HUGE fan of the greyband and mexicana varieties of king as I believe they among the most beautilf AND most docile I have ever handled.
With that said, I also LOVE the Florida king for the size, aggressive feeding responses, and the incredible diversity of color morphs available...almost(but not quite) as many as corns!
As it stands I have 1.2 greyband, and 2.2 Florida kings. The greybands are a typically smaller species, reaching lengths of right around 3 feet, where Florida kings can reach 5-6 feet. Greybands can be a little pickier about eating...make sure you get them WELL established on f/t, or they can be a pain in the hindquarters. Florida kings, on the other hand, will eat just about anything you put in front of them, and they would eat everyday if you let them.
The question of which king is right for you is really going to come down to looks. Which look intrigues you the most? What size do you hope the snake will reach? Do you want a snake that will casually and with time eat the prey you give it, or do you want a snake that might mistake your fingers for food on feeding day, and strike at anything that moves?
With SO many varieties of kingsnake available, the question becomes one of aesthetics, really...which look and size appeals to you most?
wade
Save The Humans
I agree with everyone pretty much. I really like many of the king and milks. One word of caution however. Like tyflier said, many of the kings are picky eaters especially as babies. Many will require lizard scent. The mountain kings seem the worst to me.
Don't let that dissuade you, just be prepared for it. The Mexican Black Kings are really neat and generally aggressive eaters. So are Honduran Milks. Cal Kings are also good. I have some Cal Kings that are striped that I really like. Lot's to choose from.
Don't let that dissuade you, just be prepared for it. The Mexican Black Kings are really neat and generally aggressive eaters. So are Honduran Milks. Cal Kings are also good. I have some Cal Kings that are striped that I really like. Lot's to choose from.
Attachments
tstephe3
Wanna pet my Snake?
i have been wanting a cali king(banded) for awhile now, im almost positive i will have one by the fall. lol. if you handle them readily if you get them as a hatchling, they should be just like a corn snake. i think if you let them go and not handle them as much they might be more prone to not being as docile.
my friend bought a desert king snake about 2 months ago, and the thing is amazing. it was already adult size, so he was afraid of the tempermant but whoever had him before definitely took care of him and he was the most docile thing ever.
my friend bought a desert king snake about 2 months ago, and the thing is amazing. it was already adult size, so he was afraid of the tempermant but whoever had him before definitely took care of him and he was the most docile thing ever.
ArpeggioAngel
Around Here Somewhere....
In regards to some king species not taking mice as hatchlings and requiring scenting - a good breeder (imho) should always have them eating mice without issue before selling them. Any time I look at graybands at a show, I ask the seller if they are already eating mice.
My own clutch from last fall is still only taking lizards so I will not sell them until they are eating mice.
My own clutch from last fall is still only taking lizards so I will not sell them until they are eating mice.