Hi, wondering if anyone can point me to a good care sheet for king snakes and give me general advice please. I am picking one up on friday, pressie for my wife. (We have had an adult garter snake for 4 months and it is generally very placid.)

This king snake is very young, still in a cadburys box in the shop. We have been told its a coastal King but it looks more like a cali King, its black and pure white striped. For the next 2 months it will be kept in a tub until my lizards are moved into my reptile room and then it will have a 3' by 18" viv.

Would a 50 litre RUB be overwhelmingly big for it or should I get something smaller ? Is aspen bedding ok for a young King or would we be better using paper towel ? How long should we leave it before attempting handling it ? Any tips on approaching it, handling it or picking it up when its small ?

I have also since deciding to buy this snake heard that they can be quite nippy so and sos. How bad would a bite from a King snake be and more importantly how do you respond to a bite so that the snake doesnt get hurt. My wife is a little nervous now since hearing about them biting, plus our young sons, 9,11,11 will want to handle it (under supervision of course).

Sorry if this post is a bit disjointed, dont type or think as well at 1am. Many thanks in advance for your help and advice.

Kingsnakes are great! It sounds like your getting a coastel cali king. Basicly a cali king.
If i where you i would use only news paper or paper towels as i worry about ingestation. As for care it is easy. Just use a heat mat through a mat stat set in the late 70's early 80's (f). The mat only under half the enclosure floor. Provide fresh water in a heavy dish. Not too deep and easily accessible and of course exitable. I dont know what size a 50 litre RUB is but i allways go a little smaller with growing snakes rather than something that just looks to big and is likely to induce stress etc.
As for a bite from a king i wouldent worry too much especually as its tiny. They do grip on sometimes for a period but just be patiant they'll let go. They genurally tame down with some patiants and understanding. Just be really slow and calm. It will probably go through a phase of musking (like a garter will) and projectile pooing once the stricking subsides.

Good luck

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Hi

Great choice on a Kingsnake

It will most likely be a Coastal phase Cali.
I have always put young Kings straight into 3ft vivs as they are far braver than corns lol , Just make sure there is plenty of hiding places.

Aspen is a great choice , I always use it , just make sure that you feed in a seperate tub otherwise the snake could ingest some aspen.

I'd give it a few days to settle in , when you approach it to pickit up just get in there and scoop it up , just be gentle and dont pinch.

They certainly can be nippy when young but soon calm down with handling , a bite from a young king snake is pathetic really lol , u hardly feel it , Just try not to pull your hand away as you could injure the snake.
Once you are bitten once , you will just laugh and say"is that it? "

think I've answered all your questions , feel free to ask me more if need be
I've had 11 Kings since the 80's and I've never had a single problem with them (touch wood) . great choice

.................................................. .....John

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1.0.0 Border Terrier - Dougal
0.0.1- 07 Florida Kingsnake - Father Ted
0.1.0- 07 Bairds Rat Snake - Mrs Doyle