Better to buy juvenile or adult snakes?

[Bodega aquatics]

Hello! I am interested in buying a California kingsnake and had a quick question about age and temperament. Would it be better to buy a kingsnake that is older (1-2+ years old) or to buy a juvenile? My worry about buying an older snake is how it was previously cared for and how much it was handled if at all. Do you recommend buying a baby or one that is more mature? Thanks!

[chairman]

For a first snake I'd get a young adult. Preferably a "hold back," or a snake that a breeder kept because they intended to breed the snake but determined that the genetics just didn't match they project when the snake hit breeding size.

There's nothing wrong with a baby but they tend to be timid, likely to bite, and many people feel nervous that they are going to harm/break the snake. New keepers just seem to be more comfortable with adult snakes.

[Aaron_S]

I recommend older if you can find it. You already know adult size so no need to upgrade enclosure. Don't need to buy multiple prey items and best of all, you know the attitude of the snake and if it's grown out of it or not.