Kingsnakes will eat any or the following and then some:
- rodents
- birds
- bird eggs
- frogs
- turtle eggs
- lizards
- other snakes
What do pet king snakes eat?
Pet kingsnakes eat rodents, live reptile food, and mice. When kept in captivity, kingsnakes typically eat rodents and mice. They can also feed on live reptile food or frozen mice that have been thoroughly thawed.
How to take care of a baby king snake?
Use a red light to view snakes at night. Food and Water: Baby King Snakes will feed on small pinky mice. As the King Snake grows it can eat fuzzy mice, adult mice, and smaller rats. Frozen/thawed rodents, such as Mack’s Natural Reptile Food Frozen Rodents, are always best because live rodents may harm your snake.
How often do you feed king snakes mice?
Adults can be fed adult mice (or weanling rats) once or twice a week. Start with once a week, and if the snake is too lean (body not rounded, can see ribs or backbone) feed twice a week. Many king and milk snakes tend to eat less in the fall and winter.
Where can I buy a king snake?
Kingsnakes can be purchased at most of your local pet stores if you just call in advance, or most reputable online retailers should have them available. Kingsnakes can generally eat 1 - 1.5x the widest part of there body. However if your feeding 1.5x it's girth it's recommended that you make your feedings less frequent.
What can I feed my kingsnake?
Pet kingsnakes eat rodents, live reptile food, and mice. When kept in captivity, kingsnakes typically eat rodents and mice....Kingsnakes can basically eat anything, but the foods that they prefer over others include:Rodents.Lizards.Birds.Bird eggs.Mice.Frogs.Turtles.Turtle eggs.More items...•
When should I feed my kingsnake?
Feeding Your California Kingsnake Here is a rough sketch of how much and how often you should be feeding your snake, based on age: Hatchlings should be fed once every 5-7 days. Juveniles should be fed once every 7-10 days. Adults should be fed once every 10-14 days.
What can I feed my baby king snake?
pinky miceFood and Water: Baby King Snakes will feed on small pinky mice. As the King Snake grows it can eat fuzzy mice, adult mice, and smaller rats. Frozen/thawed rodents, such as Mack's Natural Reptile Food Frozen Rodents, are always best because live rodents may harm your snake.
How do you feed baby kingsnake?
Baby king and milksnakes do best on a diet of pinky mice, generally one or two pinky mice once a week. As the snake grows, so should its prey. A general rule of thumb is to feed a snake a food item that is as large, or slightly larger, than the diameter of the snake at its widest point (excluding the head).
How long can a king snake go without eating?
Generally speaking, snakes can go a long time without being fed or eating. Nearly all snakes can last a few weeks, no problem. Similarly, most snakes can even last a few months. After the two-month mark, certain snakes will begin to starve.
Can you overfeed a king snake?
King snakes are the worst when it comes to overfeeding. They eat and eat and then regurgitate it all back, not a nice mess to clean! Dont know the size of your juvenile but feed him 1 prey item the size of the snake's widest part of his body - excluding the head. Once a week.
Can I feed my king snake fish?
Feeding once a week will maintain your California kingsnake, but the snake will grow faster if you feed it twice a week or more, if it will take it. Once the kingsnake reaches adult size, avoid obesity.
How often should king snakes eat?
every 10 daysHatchling snakes are typically fed every 5 days while adults are typically fed every 10 days. However, it should be noted that some hobbyists feed adult snakes once a week.
Do King snakes like to be handled?
3:5810:50California Kingsnake, The Best Pet Snake? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThey're also not so big that they're gonna hurt you even though they're gonna bite you and that mayMoreThey're also not so big that they're gonna hurt you even though they're gonna bite you and that may draw a little bit of blood it's not gonna be a problem and of course being a snake.
Does a kingsnake need a heat lamp?
Nighttime lighting/heat and colored bulbs are not necessary. Kingsnakes are cold-blooded, which means that they rely on their environment to determine their body temperature. They can't control their own body temperature like humans can.
How big is a 1 year old king snake?
How big are California kingsnakes? California kingsnakes start out around 13 inches in length as babies. You can expect them to double in size in their first year, and then double that again in their second year. So a 13 inch snake will be around 26 inches at a year old, and 36-40 inches at age two.
How big of a tank does a kingsnake need?
Hatchling to juvenile kingsnakes can be housed in a 10-20 gallon terrarium. Adult kingsnakes will need at least a 40 gallon terrarium. A secure, lockable slidingscreen lid is essential for safely housing these snakes.
How big is a 1 year old king snake?
How big are California kingsnakes? California kingsnakes start out around 13 inches in length as babies. You can expect them to double in size in their first year, and then double that again in their second year. So a 13 inch snake will be around 26 inches at a year old, and 36-40 inches at age two.
Are kingsnakes nocturnal?
In Southern California, kingsnakes can be found cruising around during the day in search of food or a mate. You might also find one out and about at dusk or dawn. In most other parts of the US where kingsnakes occur, they are nocturnal.
Can I feed my king snake fish?
Feeding once a week will maintain your California kingsnake, but the snake will grow faster if you feed it twice a week or more, if it will take it. Once the kingsnake reaches adult size, avoid obesity.
How often should you feed a hatchling kingsnake?
I know you're supposed to feed young kingsnakes every 5-7 days, and I've been sticking to every 5 days. She's now almost 4 months old. I decided to offer her 2 pinkies today, and she ate both no problem.
King Snake Diet
The foods that King Snakes eat vary according to their location. They are non-venomous snakes that kill by constriction, like the python and rat snakes. King Snakes are opportunistic. As such, they hunt a variety of other animals.
FAQs
Yes, they do. King Snakes have an ophiophagous diet. What this means is that they actively seek other snakes and eat them. A King Snake is also believed to be cannibalistic. What this means is that they will eat their own kind—their fellow King Snakes!
Conclusion
King Snakes are non-venomous constrictors. Their diet comprises mostly of eggs, rats, birds, lizards, and other snakes. Some species of King Snakes are immune to the venom of pit vipers. As such, they would actively hunt these pit vipers and eat them.
What Do Baby King Snakes Eat?
Snakes are predators that feed only on other animals. Pinky mice, usually one or two pinky mice once a week, are the ideal food for young king and milksnakes. As the snake matures, its diet should expand too.
What Do Baby King Snakes Eat in The Wild?
In the wild, baby king snakes would consume anything accessible to them, including smaller reptiles, birds, amphibians, rodents, lizards, frogs, eggs, and small mammals. Snakes are regularly killed by baby king snakes during these efforts, but on rare occasions, they have been known to eat fish.
Can Baby King Snakes Be Kept As Pets?
King Snakes are one of the most popular snake species, and they make wonderful pets since they are very easy to care for and come in a variety of different colors and patterns. They are generally smart, simple to handle, and heavy eaters.
How To Take Care of Baby King Snakes?
King Snakes are some of the most gorgeous subspecies of any kind, and they are simple to maintain in captivity, which is why they are so popular among reptile enthusiasts. They are a species of snakes that support an extremely wide range of sizes and environments.
What Are The Natural Predators of Baby King Snakes and How Do They Protect Themselves?
The colors and patterns of kingsnakes are numerous. Banding, which is often light-colored bands on a darker background, is the most popular and recognized pattern. California kingsnakes may have stripes that run down the body from head to tail.
How much do kingsnakes eat?
Feeder Sizing. Kingsnakes can generally eat 1 - 1.5x the widest part of there body. However if your feeding 1.5x it's girth it's recommended that you make your feedings less frequent.
Is a kingsnake more aggressive than a corn snake?
Temperament. Kingsnakes are slightly more aggressive than a Corn Snake and quite a bit more timid. They create an "S" shape with their body when preparing to go into a defensive position. For juvenile snakes that you've only recieved recently, give them a few days to get used to their new environment before handling.
Can you feed a kingsnake?
Feeding a Kingsnake live rodents can be dangerous and is not recommended. Captive bred snakes specifically, don't gain the instincts that they normally do in the wild and are much more susceptible to injury. If you leave live rodents in an enclosure with a snake that isn't hungry it may even get eaten by the rodents themselves. Live rodents also carry potentially dangerous diseases and pathogens that frozen rodents are much less likely to have. Lower temperatures help kill and prevent growth of diseases which is why it's not only recommended to use frozen feeders for your snakes safety but also your own health.
What substrate do snakes use?
Truly the King of the Snakes! Substrate: You can use Aspen shavings, Sani-chips, cypress mulch, and pelleted paper. California King Snakes will do better on a more dry substrate such as the shavings, chips, and paper. Florida King Snakes will do better on mulch or sphagnum moss as they are from a more tropical habitat.
How long do king snakes live?
Scientific Name: Lampropeltis getulus. Native to: North America. Maximum Length: 2-6 feet. Life Span: 10-15 years. Characteristics: Our King Snakes are captive bred here at Reptiles by Mack under the watchful care of our snake experts. King Snakes make very good pets because they are very easy to care for and come in a variety ...
What do snakes eat?
Food and Water: Baby King Snakes will feed on small pinky mice. As the King Snake grows it can eat fuzzy mice, adult mice, and smaller rats. Frozen/thawed rodents, such as Mack’s Natural Reptile Food Frozen Rodents, are always best because live rodents may harm your snake.
Why are king snakes good pets?
King Snakes make very good pets because they are very easy to care for and come in a variety of different colors and patterns. Generally curious, easy to handle, and voracious feeders. When your King Snake gets ready to shed, the eyes will turn a milky blue and the body color will start to become dull and develop a whitish sheen.
1. Housing
One of the things that make King snakes easier to care for, is that they do not grow as large as some other popular pets like Pythons. Because they do not grow as large, they do not need an enormous enclosure. Most people will keep their King snake in a glass tank or aquarium, which is pretty standard for most reptiles.
2. Temperature and lighting
Being that King snakes are ectotherms, it is very important to make sure their cage is kept at an optimal temperature. In the wild, King snakes tend to live in warmer and somewhat moderate temperatures. The ambient temperature in your enclosure should be between 80 and 85 degrees.
3. Diet and feeding
One of the things that makes owning a snake convenient is that they do not need to eat as often as other pets. However, the frequency of how often you feed your King snake depends on their age.
4. Substrate
King snakes are very hearty snakes and are not particularly picky about their substrate. But many keepers recommend using Aspen shavings. You can also use coconut fiber or bark chips. These types of substrate provide a moderately dry habitat and help to create an optimal environment for your King snake.
5. Maintenance
Because they eat so infrequently, snakes defecate infrequently, which makes maintaining their enclosures relatively easy. You should be keeping an eye out on your King snake’s cage after they eat so that you can remove any waste- also known as spot cleaning. This will keep things cleaner and will allow you to go longer in between deep cleans.
6. Handling
For most pet owners, it is important to be able to handle and spend time with their pet. Some snakes are more reluctant to be held than others, but generally King snakes are quite content to be handled.
7. Other things to know
King snakes are generally very easy to care for, but there are some things that can come up that complicate proper care. For example, this species is prone to respiratory infections- which are somewhat common in captive reptiles.
How much humidity do king and milk snakes need?
King and milk snakes do not need high humidity levels—40 to 60 percent is sufficient. A hygrometer or humidity gauge will help you check moisture levels. In most cases, a shallow dish of water in the cage should be adequate. During shedding, they may benefit from added humidity.
Where are milk and king snakes native?
Milk and king snakes are native in southern parts of Canada, throughout the U.S., and Central and South America.
Why do milk snakes gurgle?
The biggest threat to a pet kingsnake or milk snake is a respiratory infection. These snakes can get colds or pneumonia, which is often caused by a problem with the temperature in the cage. Symptoms can include bubbling or gurgling at the mouth, gasping, or mucus around the nose.
How big of a tank do snakes need?
However, medium-sized (36 inches) adult snakes need a 20-gallon tank, and larger, full-grown snakes (60 inches) would thrive in a larger enclosure, such as a 60-gallon tank. King and milk snakes are quite active and need the room. Snakes that have the room to stretch may also have a reduced incidence of respiratory infections.
What color are king and milk snakes?
They vary significantly in size, color, and patterns. 1 Many subspecies have striking, beautiful patterns, including some that have a natural defense of mimicking the red, black, and yellow color banding of venomous coral snakes. A key difference is nonvenomous king and milk have black bands that touch red bands, ...
How much does a snake cost to eat mice?
Make sure your snake is already a good eater of pre-killed mice. If you have doubts, ask for a demonstration of your snake feeding. You can expect to pay $30 to $200, depending on the morph (color), the rareness of the variety, and age. Hatchlings usually cost less, since adults are proven eaters and thriving.
How to tell if a snake is healthy?
Signs of a healthy snake include a firm, rounded body; no discharge from the nose ; no dusty specks on the body of the snake (mites); no open-mouth breathing or gasping; inside of mouth looks pink (not red or cheesy); shiny, smooth skin (no sores or scabs), clean fecal opening (vent), and movement without tremors.
King Snake Enclosure
The most important factor for your snake is how you house it. We will go over how to create the perfect home for your snake.
Substrate
A substrate is needed both for cleaning and for your snake’s comfort. You can use something like paper or reptile carpet, but this doesn’t allow for natural burrowing behavior.
Heating
Kingsnakes are ectotherms, meaning they require outside heat to raise their internal temperature. You will need to provide a source of heat on one end of your enclosure and let the other end remain cooler.
Lighting
Kingsnakes do not need special lighting. If they are in a room with natural light, they should be fine.
Shelter
Kingsnakes need shelter to feel secure. They naturally avoid open space since their main predators are birds of prey. In captivity, you need to provide shelter.
Humidity
Your snake will need a minimum humidity level of 40-60% to successfully shed. You should keep it at this level at all times since low humidity can also make your snake more likely to dehydrate.
Enclosure Maintenance
Your king snake needs to be kept in a clean enclosure to avoid illness and infections. You should start by checking the water, temperature, humidity, and spot clean any urine or feces daily.
