Mexican king snake?

[Kashy]

Hey guys, I'm a novice snake owner and right now I own one boa constrictor which is a rescue. As he grows in size, I will build him a new enclosure and I was thinking about using his old enclosure to house a colubrid. Looking around, the coolest colubrid imo is the Mexican black kingsnake and the local shelter has a handful of them unfortunately. I was wondering if they make good pets if I were to rescue one. When I get a new animal I go all out with their care and I don't want to get one if I feel like I can't provide him or her with top quality care.

Thanks!

[EL Ziggy]

MBKs are great snakes to keep and gorgeous too.

[Kashy]

I have read that MKBs require relatively low humidity. I live in Boston where summers get very humid. Would it be problematic if the ambient summer humidity was around 50%? I'll probably use a dry substrate and a glass enclosure to keep it low but I can't do much if the ambient humidity is high for like 4 months out of the year.

[craigafrechette]

Kings are fantastic snakes. My personal favorite of the 5 species I've kept to this point. They are hardy snakes, and once they outgrow that nippy stage they typically handle really well. They stay at a very manageable size while still not being "small". They are also fantastic eaters.
Mexican blacks are gorgeous animals. I think it would be a great addition.

[EL Ziggy]

Ambient humidity will be fine for your MBK.

[craigafrechette]

I have read that MKBs require relatively low humidity. I live in Boston where summers get very humid. Would it be problematic if the ambient summer humidity was around 50%? I'll probably use a dry substrate and a glass enclosure to keep it low but I can't do much if the ambient humidity is high for like 4 months out of the year.

Like Ziggy said, the relative humidity will be fine. Worst case scenario if it gets real high, just put a fan on pointing in the direction of the screen lid.

[Kashy]

Thanks everyone!

[eminart]

Welcome! MBK's are good looking snakes.



the local shelter has a handful of them unfortunately.




Really? That seems odd.

[Kashy]

Really? That seems odd.

How come? there are so many abandoned pet snakes here.

[craigafrechette]

I would assume eminart made that statement because MBKs have been very sought after in the pet trade the last handful of years. Typically, when they are bred they sell very quickly. So it seems odd that a rescue would have ended up with a bunch.
Stranger things have happened though.