| King snakes make fantastic pets and are particularly | | | | appearances of bugs. |
| good for first time snake owners as they have a | | | | When you get your new snake home, it may seem |
| wish to be little till maturity, docile and | | | | to be at first frightened and upset. This is standard, |
| straightforward to worry for. This kind of snake is a | | | | and it is a brilliant idea to leave the snake alone for |
| beautiful snake, gaily decorated and simple to tame. | | | | two days to allow him the chance to settle into his |
| The adults can grow to be 7 to 8 feet long, so as | | | | new habitat. He should however settle in after he's |
| your relationship grows, you may need to consider a | | | | been handled a bit. If however your snake is waving |
| larger home environment for your snake. King snakes | | | | around in the air in plans to get out, he is most likely |
| as pets make good companions, and can live for | | | | stressed, so again leave him alone, and let him settle. |
| anywhere up to 20 years, in good environment and | | | | When your pet snake has settled, you will need to |
| with good care regimes in effect. | | | | distribute some time to handling him each day. Two |
| These snakes are constrictors, so they kill their prey | | | | short sessions each day will build his trust in you, and |
| by squashing it. In natural habitats they can be | | | | he'll get comfortable with you handling him. If he |
| discovered from the southern regions of Canada all | | | | wraps himself around your arm too forcefully, simply |
| of the way down to South America. | | | | start to unwind him continuously from the tail end, |
| When you are considering King snakes as pets, | | | | and place him somewhere snug. Though these |
| always purchase a 'captive bred' snake which should | | | | snakes are constrictors, they will not harm you. |
| be straightforward to find as they are a well-liked pet | | | | You will also spot the snake could be regurgitating, |
| reptile, with many breeders across the state. Look | | | | which they've a disposition to do quite often. This is |
| for a rounded firm body, with smooth and glossy | | | | due to assorted factors, one being that you are |
| skin. Fastidiously check to see there are no scabs or | | | | handling him too shortly after feeding. Other reasons |
| scars, and confirm your selected snake moves truly | | | | the snake might be regurgitating may include, the |
| smoothly, without any shocks. | | | | prey being too huge, or the temperature in his |
| Check round the head area and make sure that the | | | | enclosure being too cold. If it is occurring regularly and |
| eyes are clear, with no discharge. Guarantee there | | | | you are not sure why, it is always best to test with |
| are no mites present and check for appearances of | | | | your local vet. |
| these. Look in the mouth area, to see that it is pink | | | | Overall having king snakes as pets, is a glorious |
| all over and healthy. The snake should not be opening | | | | experience. A note of advice though, and that is that |
| its mouth to respire or showing prospects of gasping, | | | | these snakes have a tendency to be cannibals, and |
| so check that out also. | | | | are known in natural habitats to eat their own kind, |
| The golden rule like any other exotic reptile, when | | | | so if they are housed with other snakes, be |
| you are looking at king snakes as pets, always take | | | | prepared for this. You have to ideally house them |
| the snake to a vet straight after purchase, to be | | | | individually, and in an area where there aren't any |
| certain that everything is right. The vet will possibly | | | | other snakes. |
| (and should) take a fecal sample to check for | | | | |