Learning

[avelli2000]

Are there any king snakes that are larger than the others?

Is there a website that shows all the variations in color of each type?

Are some nastier than others? How's their temperment?

Are they arboreal? If so, is a 36"wX18"dX24"h tank a good enclosure for an adult?

[Tim_Cranwill]

Here's someone's list of the different Lampropeltis subspecies and their respective adult sizes. Keep in mind you could probably add or subtract 20% of that size for each type. There are always runts and always a few "giants"....

http://www.pitt.edu/~mcs2/herp/Lampropeltis.html

The floor space you gave is pretty good for the average adult king but you could shave 6 - 12 inches off of that height. It probably wouldn’t get used... :)

[Vanan]

As for temperament, browse through these forums and you'll find out which ones are more nuts than others.

Although, in my experience, the worst have been the calikings and speckleds. The best have been the bigger kings, i.e. the chain, florida, appalochicoliae etc. Mex blks are pretty nice too, but have a big appettite, so watch those fingers! :)

[Invictus]

I have quite a few lampros myself, and I have to say I haven't had very good experiences with the CalKings. They are nervous, skittish, and prone to biting. I'm not just talking about the ones in my collection either - the ones at work are jerks too. However, I've never had a bad experience with a grey banded king. Most milk snakes I've encountered have been ok too, but we have a pueblan at work that made me bleed from both hands last week. If you get a king snake, get it YOUNG and handle it OFTEN. That's the best advice I can give. :)

[KingFfaj]

I was wondering where I saw this list;) thanx
Most lampros are fine, theres definnetly a lot of variation between indivisual temprement, and invinctus's opinion that calis can be more skittish then others does not co-inside with my own experince, as I find that most (even older specimins)do calm down once enterd into a captive routine.
Altough most can have strong feeding responses (which is great to watch)

[marisa]

I have found baby cal kings difficult but if you handle them a lot they can become total babies. My male cal king can be "trusted" with my roomates 7 year old son and is just a wonderful snake! But my very young 03 female is a FREAK! literally a freak about biting, rattling, musking, crapping. Its crazy.

But all snakes can be like this. ANYTHING can most likely be calmed down in almost all cases, don't let it steer you away. A baby cal king bite is like hardly anything to worry about once you are used to it and will most likely be calmed down before it reaches any real size if you put time into it.

Good luck!
Marisa

[tai_pan1]

Invictus,

How are your Sinaloan Milks? I think they are beautiful and was going to look for a pair at the upcoming NARBC show. I have a son who is 5 and a daughter who is 10, so I need "nicer" snakes.

Mike

[Tim_Cranwill]

Tai Pan1, Siniloans are, in my experience, nice and calm. They don't musk nearly as often as pueblan, I've never been musked on by one of mine for that matter. As far as milks go, or at least the ones I've kept, they would make a great "pet". Good size, good looks and a good attitude! But you can get the odd spaz... :)

[tai_pan1]

Thanks Cranwill. They are at the top of my list to look for at the show. My son now wants his own snake so I'll have to make sure it's something I want that he can handle. LOL. My daughter got a beautiful corn from Kathy Love at the show last year, and while it is hers I take care of all it's needs. I don't mind, just consider it one of mine. LOL.

[snakegal12345]

the tank size is fine for any kind of king