How to Take Care of a Baby King Snake

King snakes are very popular reptiles in the pet trade thanks to their convenient size and relative calmness. Adding to their popularity is the fact that several king snakes, like the California king snake, are absolutely dazzling in appearance, often with striking yellow stripes against a black or brown surface. Since these snakes are so sought-after, it's only natural that their babies are, too. What's more, they make excellent pets for those looking to raise a snake from a tiny hatchling. Be forewarned, however, that setting up an enclosure for and raising a baby king snake is not a terribly easy task.

Things You'll Need

  • 10-gallon glass aquarium
  • Screen lid
  • Heat lamp
  • 50-watt basking bulb
  • Aspen shavings
  • Water dish
  • Logs or other "furniture"
  • Frozen pinkie mouse
  • Plastic sandwich bag
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Instructions

  1. Setting Up the Enclosure

    • 1

      Cover the bottom of the tank with about an inch of aspen bedding. Baby kings--and king snakes in general--enjoy burrowing, and aspen will not irritate their skin.

    • 2

      Place the logs or any other cage furniture throughout the tank. It is imperative that the baby have a place to hide to alleviate stress.

    • 3

      Fill its water dish with cool water and place it on one side of the tank. The dish should be big enough for the snake to soak in.

    • 4

      Screw the 50-watt bulb into the heat lamp and plug it into a nearby power outlet.

    • 5

      Place the snake within its new tank and secure the screen lid on top.

    • 6

      Place the heat lamp atop the screen lid on one side of the tank with the bulb facing down. This allows for the tank to have a warm side and a cool side.

    Feeding

    • 7

      Place the frozen mouse inside the plastic sandwich bag.

    • 8

      Put the mouse in the bag on top of the screen lid, very near to the heat lamp, to allow it to thaw. Thawing takes approximately 15 to 30 minutes.

    • 9

      Once thawed, remove the pinkie mouse from the bag and place it before your snake.

    • 10

      Turn off the heat lamp and allow your snake to eat. Most babies are hesitant at first. If the mouse is too big for the baby to swallow, consider using crickets instead.

    • 11

      Repeat this process once about every 10 days, increasing the size of the mouse as your baby grows.