What do you think of California king snakes? Do they make good pets?

[Tarantuloid]

After a couple of months venturing through many snake choices, I decided that I would only look for snakes that are being disowned rather than buying one from a local petstore chain.

I recently met a nearby family that is disowning their California King Snake, in which they originally bought for their kids along with a Bearded Dragon. Due tot he fact the parents are now stuck with taking care of them, the California King Snake is getting kicked out of their household. I decided to ask them if they would consider selling the snake to me, and they would like to me the snake complete with his enclosure and heating materials for 65 dollars.


Much like that Ratsnake I found last week, I heard these California King snakes can be pretty ill tempered and don't like being handled much. I asked a few reptile owners I know and it's been kinda half and half. Some say that they are not for being handled (similar to a tarantula), while others have said that they begin nippy and defensive, but slowly calm down as they become accustomed to you handling them.

What do you think?

 

[antinous]

Cali kings aren't that ill-tempered from what I know, I've handled a few here and there and they were docile enough. Never heard anything bad about them. But, then again, each snake has their own nature. What you stated is true, the more you handle it when it, the more it will get used it. But, I don't think it would be too bad if it is at all. Maybe you're thinking of a Brooks?

Cali kings are great snake for a beginner tho.

 

[AshleyM]

My brother has one and it's very calm. His green tree pythons on the other hand are mean as FFFFF

 

[antinous]

Here's a care sheet if you need any help along the way:
http://www.vmsherp.com/CarePages/CareCalKing.htm

 

[Tarantuloid]

That's great to know! I remember taking care of a few back when I worked for a pet store and they reminded me of a corn snake in terms of maintenance. However, I haven't actually owned one yet, I've had corn snakes though.

Yeah the father's post regarding getting rid of his California King snake said that it's not a beginner, yet I see some care sheets saying that it;s a great snake for beginners. I heard they were a little more aggressive or nervous than corn snakes or ball pythons, and aren't good for handling around friends. Is this also false?

 

[antinous]

I'm guessing the father doesn't have much experience with other snakes then. It's a great snake! They're not really more aggressive than either of those two species, but like I said before, depends on the snake's nature itself. They're a great species to bring around kids for them to learn more about, I've had some friends bring them to local schools to teach kids about them so they're good for handling imo, as long as you do it right.

What kind of setup did he give you if I may ask?

 

[JohnDapiaoen]

As someone who encounters them frequently in the wild, I can say they are the chillest snakes found in california. I've kept many morphs as pets and they are perfect for getting into herps. On a side note having them around keep the rattlers away lol.

 

[Tarantuloid]

That's a relief, I was hoping this species would be a good choice for a snake. I was suppose to adopt this orange corn snake, but the owner is too busy to meet up with me or let me come to pick it up.

I found that family disowning their California king snake due to the children's loss of interest and I figured maybe I could work something out. Here's a few images of the set up that's coming with the snake, including the tank, heating mat, and decoration (haha)

 

[antinous]

View attachment 114996 View attachment 114997 That's a relief, I was hoping this species would be a good choice for a snake. I was suppose to adopt this orange corn snake, but the owner is too busy to meet up with me or let me come to pick it up.

I found that family disowning their California king snake due to the children's loss of interest and I figured maybe I could work something out. Here's a few images of the set up that's coming with the snake, including the tank, heating mat, and decoration (haha)

Where's the hide for it? Snakes tend to be happier when given a hide, especially in a tank. I would also go buy a thermostat just because heat mats aren't the best for heating a snake. It's ideal temp 80 at one end and 90 on the other, but don't let anything drop below 76. Fahrenheit of course.

 

[pa3k_87]

I would say they have their days sometimes. I adopted a Cali king from a rescue before because his owners gave him up because he would just try and eat anything! First time a handled him from the rescue, he tried to eat my finger. Didn't care though so I brought him home. I wore gloves everytime I take him out because he just latches on and starts to swallow whatever he gets his teeth into. It went on for about 1 year and a half and he kinda mellowed down due to constant handling (at least 3 times a week). I don't use gloves anymore whenever I take him out and he only bit me like twice since then. This time he would let go after a few seconds though. He probably realized he can't eat my hand anyway. There are days where I completely trust him to dangle and crawl around my neck but most of the time it would just be around my arm or leg. I always keep watch of his head though, in case he gets in the mood of trying to eat me again. Lol!

 

[Tarantuloid]

Where's the hide for it? Snakes tend to be happier when given a hide, especially in a tank. I would also go buy a thermostat just because heat mats aren't the best for heating a snake. It's ideal temp 80 at one end and 90 on the other, but don't let anything drop below 76. Fahrenheit of course.

Keep in mind that this is where he is currently living, but he is not yet in my possession. It could be why he might be aggressive, maybe feeling vulnerable with no place to hide?

 

[antinous]

Keep in mind that this is where he is currently living, but he is not yet in my possession. It could be why he might be aggressive, maybe feeling vulnerable with no place to hide?

That's true, I apologize. I didn't mean to sound aggressive in the least that's just how I type ._.
That could be a reason, that and his temp that he is kept.

 

[Tarantuloid]

That's true, I apologize. I didn't mean to sound aggressive in the least that's just how I type ._.
That could be a reason, that and his temp that he is kept.

Haha no problem! I didn't take it as an insult, it's actually a good point. Those were just the images they sent me, I'm going to see the snake tomorrow hopefully and see how his temperament is and more of the details.

 

[antinous]

Haha no problem! I didn't take it as an insult, it's actually a good point. Those were just the images they sent me, I'm going to see the snake tomorrow hopefully and see how his temperament is and more of the details.

Haha. That's good! And remember, sometimes a snake can change it's mood and temperament when handled regularly!

 

[Tarantuloid]

Haha. That's good! And remember, sometimes a snake can change it's mood and temperament when handled regularly!

I guess I'll see if I can pick him up, whether these snakes are a common species or not, they look really neat!

Haha yeah, I mean it's good that when you see images of an animal, you are well aware of details like that. Imagine if someone kept him like that and never knew they needed a hiding place until you pointed it out. It helps sometimes!

 

[antinous]

I guess I'll see if I can pick him up, whether these snakes are a common species or not, they look really neat!

Haha yeah, I mean it's good that when you see images of an animal, you are well aware of details like that. Imagine if someone kept him like that and never knew they needed a hiding place until you pointed it out. It helps sometimes!

They do! I'm not really big into colubrids, but the Cali King has to be one of my favorites of them.

It does! Make sure to update tmrw so I can see how it goes! Haha

 

[Tarantuloid]

They do! I'm not really big into colubrids, but the Cali King has to be one of my favorites of them.

It does! Make sure to update tmrw so I can see how it goes! Haha

Yeah I'm hoping this deal turns out good, it's so close to my house that it's hard to pass up. I almost adopted this rat snake last weekend, but someone beat me to it D:

 

[antinous]

Yeah I'm hoping this deal turns out good, it's so close to my house that it's hard to pass up. I almost adopted this rat snake last weekend, but someone beat me to it D:

That's a shame, but there are always offerings on CL. And if you buy regular morphs of the snake, they aren't that expensive. Especially at reptile expos.

 

[Tarantuloid]

That's a shame, but there are always offerings on CL. And if you buy regular morphs of the snake, they aren't that expensive. Especially at reptile expos.

yeah you can get some neat deals, I heard some of them sell ball pythons for 30 dollars.

 

[antinous]

yeah you can get some neat deals, I heard some of them sell ball pythons for 30 dollars.

Normal ball pythons can range from anywhere from $25-30 since breeders are sometimes trying to get rid of the excess amount they have.