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Opinions on my next snake please. King vs Gopher

L

looknleap

New member
Hi I'm a new poster but a long time lurker. Recently got my first corn snake from Nanci of Snicker Snakes thanks to this forum. He's a sweetheart and the perfect classroom snake and has already turned at least 5 students from scared to huge snake fans.

I would like to get one more snake that'll live in my home and was hoping for some suggestions. It's awhile away but I am an over planner. So if you guys have any thoughts I'd love to hear them.

I'm looking for a snake that's active (or at least out) in its tank during the day. I've heard gopher snakes and king snakes tend to be more diurnal then most so that's what my focus has kind of turned towards.

Other requirements are a snake that will fit comfortably in a 40 gallon long tank as an adult (smaller is okay but not bigger), doesn't need high humidity, known for eating frozen thawed, and a breed that will be okay with semi frequent handling and not stress (I don't mind some musking or biting in the beginning)

So far I'm looking at gopher snakes, florida kings and cali kings. Any thoughts or experiences with these breeds? Any other breeds that might work? thanks so much.
 
I keep Florida, Cal kings and Pitouphis (gopher/pine/bull) snakes. All can be kept similar to a corn snake. All three are also similar to each other in the aspect that you can get a very passive specimen or a very aggressive one. One difference is Pitouphis are usually very hissy and coil up in to strike mode quickly but rarely strike. Kings are aggressive eaters and will take anything as prey including you :)
My BIG high yellow FL. king loves eating my fingers where my gopher snake at 7 feet in length will let you pet her head. I've had a Cal king that we showed but when it came to dinner time he would constrict his mouse so hard he would blow its guts out. Disgusting !
So really it depends on the individual on how they are.
All will eat FT no problem.
I would say that the kings are most active but in my collection not by much.
Trinity our gopher snake is allowed to go to school for show and tell as is Dottie our Cal king. Fingers our FL king is not! The pine snakes would scare the kids with their hissing and coiling even though they are easily handleable.
 
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