what's the right king?

[trailblazer295]

The research I've done on second snake over the past few months has shown I like the activity, behaviour, looks etc of kings. I'm not in a position to buy a new setup for a few years. I have an empty 24x24x12 with a UTH and pro products RHP both independently controlled. I've read of some smaller locales that stay under 3ft. Looking for a king that could live it's life in this enclosure.

[Albert Clark]

The Arizona mountain king is a smaller king that is more captor friendly.

[SoPhilly]

Bump.

I have an empty 36x12x12. Are there kings that really stay under 3 feet?

[jjhill001]

Bump.

I have an empty 36x12x12. Are there kings that really stay under 3 feet?

Not really under 3 ft but around 3 ft. The mountain kings stay small. The Kings from the eastern part of the country are the ones that get really big. Scarlet Kings stay under 3 ft but are actually more milksnake in nature.

The Kings I would target are the following:

Desert King (splendida) 3-4 ft
California King (californiae) 3-4 ft

The following are more milk snakey in behavior:
Mexican King, Thayeri, (Mexicana) 3 ft
Ruthvens King (ruthveni) 3 ft
Mountain Kings (pyromelana) 3-4 ft
Scarlet King (elapsoides) 18-22 in

The important thing to remember is that these snakes aren't fat like balls so they take up less room. I'd say that 24x24 is big enough to house any of the above snakes at adult size although you'd probably want a bit more. If you think about total square footage 2ftx2ft is 4 square feet which believe it or not is larger than the 3ft by 1ft which is 3 square feet. If you put a bunch of stuff to climb on you increase usable space within the vivarium.

[snakekid6996]

Gray bandeds don't get to big at all

[jjhill001]

Gray bandeds don't get to big at all

I forgot to add them to my list whoops lol. 3-4 ft.

[trailblazer295]

Thanks for the list. Grey banded certaintly look nice.

[trailblazer295]

Is it true that Cali's are more dinural in that they are a bit more active during the day?

[knox]

Is it true that Cali's are more dinural in that they are a bit more active during the day?

Mine is pretty active during the late afternoon / early evening

[trailblazer295]

Mine is pretty active during the late afternoon / early evening

Thanks, that's what I'd like. I was about to buy a MBK but recent events have changed plans. One of the things I liked was the more awake hour activity. In contrast to a nocturnal snake. Of course the pure black was another draw but I can't buy a new larger enclosure for one right now.

[reptiledude987]

I'm a big fan of the scarlet and the grey bands. I love my mbk as well but he is bigger than what youre looking for.

[snakekid6996]

I own a male gray banded and I know a breeder who owns a few. I Love them all. Some of my favorite snakes of all time and I've yet to so any hardly over 3-3 1/2 feet. I definitely don't think I've seen any over 4

[trailblazer295]

The Greys look nice. What are the activity levels?

[trailblazer295]

I'm a big fan of the scarlet and the grey bands. I love my mbk as well but he is bigger than what youre looking for.

If I could buy a new larger enclosure in the near future I'd be buying an MBK for sure. But alas must stick with something smaller.

[Albert Clark]

Cal kings too bitey and aggressive. Also can grow to be more than 3feet. Desert kings also get pretty long (over 3ft.) Although deserts have a calmer temperament than cals. Arizona mountains are much more colorful with that little mask over their eyes looking like a little bandit. Lol. :blink:

[trailblazer295]

Seems this is going to be a lot more difficult then I thought. I forgot to factor availability. Selecting a snake or snakes that I want and finding them around here are two totally different things.

[knox]

My Cal King is gentle as a lamb. I will say that some kings are more bitey than others - it's a crap shoot.

[trailblazer295]

I was just holding a half grown MBK today. Had the same lazy disposition about exploring me as my BP. Just casually moving around. Took some will not to tell the store to hold it for me until I move. But I don't really want to put a snake like that in my 24x24x12. Seems King wise my options around here are very slim. There is a reptile expo in a few weeks. See what the findings are there. The next one is early June right after I move which is great timing.