New--snake for my son?

[gagirl]

Despite my personal feelings towards reptiles I find myself on this forum because my 8 yr old son is begging, pleading and trying to persuade me to let him get a California King Snake. He has always loved animals, especially reptiles, and he even managed to keep a backyard-caught tree frog alive for almost a year (what a learning lesson that was).

I guess my thing is that I recognize his passion and I would like to foster that even though snakes make me squeamish. I am considering making this either a Christmas gift or birthday gift in January. However, I know nothing and I really need to know what is involved, needed, required. My son has researched and shared tons and tons of information while trying to persuade me, but I would really like to have more information from experience. I appreciate any help--I don't even know where to start, what to look for, where to buy, what to buy, etc. Also, if your experience tells you that this is a terrible idea, please share that too. TIA!

[purplegeyser]

Yay! ^---^
Keep in mind, that snakes can live 15-20 years.
So, when your son goes to college, you may have to watch over the little guy.

King snakes are actually great beginner snakes and if handled regularly, very docile. The more you're around them, the more you understand their movements, the less scared you'll be because snakes are very demonized and misunderstood creatures. They are definitely lovable creatures with personality.

There are several caresheets you can get as far as their care and what is needed. I'm sure someone will link you some. I'll take a look myself.

Care for them is easy. After the initial setup(correct heat and humidity), they don't need to be fed as often as other animals. The only issue I've had in the past is finding a vet that can care for them. I would research one in your area, but if the enclosure is at the right temperatures and it's kept very clean, there really shouldn't be an issue.

[purplegeyser]

Here is a link I found that has some basic info for you as far as setup goes. King Snakes and Milk Snakes - Care and Feeding

The important thing is to make sure they cannot escape, that their temperatures are correct, and that the cage is kept very clean. (:

[drumcrush]

Why not a mexican black kingsnake ??? kings are always a great choice, I love my mexican black:)

[sharthun]

Originally Posted by drumcrush

Why not a mexican black kingsnake ??? kings are always a great choice, I love my mexican black:)

+1 my king snake of choice is a Mexican Black Kingsnake.

[Charis]

Hello and welcome! Snakes can really be great beginner pets.

[KORBIN5895]

I would personally skip the king and get either a garter snake or a corn snake. Both are relatively bullet proof animals.

The setup for these two breeds coyld cost under $30 easily. You can also find them for a really inexpensive price.

[chris_clemens]

Cal king care is pretty easy:
90-85 degree hot spot, 75-70 degree cool side.
not much in the way of humidity, a water bowl large enought that the snake can soak will provide drinking water and humidity.
feed juveniles one appropriatly sized prey item once a week. adults can go a few days longer between meals, 10-14 days.
I keep my animals on newspaper but if you want something a little more pleasing to the eye you can use aspen shavings or bark.
provide at least one hide in the enclosure. any more decorations are up to you (climbing branches are normally appreciated)

As for where to get one, I have a few ideas you can try. Cal kings are small, easily cared for, and fairly popular pet snakes so if there is a pet store around you that has a reptile section they just might carry them. You can try looking at different breeders online and have the animal shipped to you. You could also try checking to see if there are any reptile expos happening around you. Maybe not in december or january, but even if you get your animal somewhere else, expos are always a great experience. There is always a lot of really cool animals and even more breeders that have an abundance of knowledge who are generally willing to share information with you. I have learned a lot just by talking with other breeders at shows. Be cautious if you look for a snake on sites like craigslist. You might get lucky and find a good snake but most are unwanted and therefore are not properly cared for, so they come to you with issues.

I agree that you should find a vet that treats reptiles before purchasing a snake. Nothing would be worse than to get a snake, discover a problem and not have anywhere to take the animal.

I want to congradulate you on being so open minded! When I was your son's age, it took me forever to get my step dad to agree to let me have a snake because he was so scared of them. Now he doesn't seem to mind them, even surprises me by reaching out to pet even my largest boa. They reallly are misunderstood, but once you get to know them they are just as loveable as the family dog

[KORBIN5895]

I would avoid purchasing a snake from a pet store if at all possible. There are too many sick snakes at pet stores. I can help you find a decent breeder online if you choose to go that route.

[Chris72]

Originally Posted by KORBIN5895

I would avoid purchasing a snake from a pet store if at all possible. There are too many sick snakes at pet stores. I can help you find a decent breeder online if you choose to go that route.

+1 on this ^

Sick snake is a risk, plus you might bring it home with reptile mites which left untreated will eventually end its life.

A good breeder will be your best chance for a strong, healthy, well started animal

Here is yet another king care sheet.
(This site has care sheets for other species you might consider)
Free Reptile Care Sheets - Your source for FREE REPTILE CARE SHEETS!

.

[Hannibalcanibal]

I'd recommend a corn or a garter for a first snake, but if you want a king, as long as you buy one that's already feeding well, then go for it. I'm going to leave the caresheets to those above me, but always talk to the breeder (or us, of course ) if you have any questions the sheets can't answer.

[drumcrush]

I love my garters Here is a caresheet for garters Garter Snake Forum - Garter Caresheet kings are also great, my first snake is a king which I got almost 2 years ago is just awesome, great eaters(except for winter time lol) corns are great as well, I have to take care of my brothers corn snake a lot, and they're pretty easy to take care of. Those are my recommendations

[shaunyboy]

Originally Posted by KORBIN5895

I would personally skip the king and get either a garter snake or a corn snake. Both are relatively bullet proof animals.

The setup for these two breeds coyld cost under $30 easily. You can also find them for a really inexpensive price.

^^^^^
this

my youngest son started with a Kingsnake at the age of 8,after it bit and held onto his nostril,it totally put him off snakes...

i wish i had said no to the Kingsnake and got him a garter or a corn, as a starter snake

re feeding
unless you buy your prey weekly from a shop,then you will have to be prepaired to keep some dead rodents in your freezer


imo it's great your son has such a passion for reptiles at such an early age,also that you are encouraging him,even though your not keen on snakes yourself

cheers shaun

[wrecker45]

I have snakes for over 50 years. It is a good thing you are doing allowing your son to have a snake. Not only for him but for yourself. My girlfriend was teriffied of snakes. I bought an adult corn snake. She started touching him then handling. Now she has a baby albino snow corn.

[LiL Zap]

I would consider a corn snake instead because king snakes can be feisty at times. There's plenty of care sheets available about corn snakes.

I won't sit here and say ALL king snakes are feisty but the majority of them I have personally seen can be snippy at times.