New Cali king! (Also some sexing questions)

[FLUGATRON]

Hello!
I just recently picked up my new California kingsnake! I posted a bit last month with some questions and they really helped out. Just want make sure I'm doing it all correctly!

I currently have the heat pad on the warm side set to 83`F (wasn't sure if i should bump it up to 85) and an LED up top (doesn't put out too much heat). He's got 2 normal hides (Barely uses them) a cork tube (He loves that spot) and two small tiles he can curl up under if he likes as well as a humid hide in the back (Also likes hiding under that one). The Left side is the warm side. (Btw thats his first shed up top! He shed in his little travel container on the way back to my house. He's probably a good 16 inches or so.)

Sorry for the Cruddy pics of his/her tail, was wondering if anyone can try to visually sex this little guy (I understand if he may be too young to tell)
He/She is A 2017 baby, not sure on exact hatch date.

Open to any and all suggestions! This is my first snake and I also currently own a leopard tortoise! Just want to start off right with this little guy!
Thanks,
Caden

(Hopefully the pictures worked! :) )

[EL Ziggy]

Very nice king. Congrats on the new critter. Your setup looks good too. You could add a little more clutter and maybe cover 3 sides of the enclosure to make the snake feel more secure. Is your heat source regulated with a thermostat? I kept my kings with a hot spot of 86-90. Ambient temps in the 70s and normal humidity are usually just fine. Kings are a lot of fun and pretty hardy snakes.

[FLUGATRON]

Very nice king. Congrats on the new critter. Your setup looks good too. You could add a little more clutter and maybe cover 3 sides of the enclosure to make the snake feel more secure. Is your heat source regulated with a thermostat? I kept my kings with a hot spot of 86-90. Ambient temps in the 70s and normal humidity are usually just fine. Kings are a lot of fun and pretty hardy snakes.

Ok sounds good. Yeah my Heat mat is regulated with a thermostat set to 83, and gets to 85 at its highest before it turns the pad off, should i set it to 85? ( he likes to burrow down right onto the glass). Ambients are within the 70s (read by infrared heat gun). I live within their natural range too so most of the time he will be getting his natural temps. By clutter would you say maybe a few more fake plants? I was planning on getting some at the next expo near me. He seems to come out on his own a lot too to climb around and thermoregulate, he doesn't seem scared in any way if I walk into the room either, (he's a pretty brave little guy for his age). Also just wanted to make sure that its pretty normal for them to be a little hissy when you go to pick em up when they are this young, he doesn't seem to care at all if he's already moving but if i pick up one of his hides he is never very happy. Just keep up handling til he gets used to me right?


Thanks,
Caden

[FLUGATRON]

Also wanted to ask, What should his photoperiod be? currently his light is set from 7 to 7 for 12 hours.

[EL Ziggy]

7 to 7 is a good light cycle. I usually run mine from 8-8. It's perfectly normal for kings to be a little defensive when they're young. He should calm down for you soon.