Can you identify my new kingsnake? Also, a temperature question.

Hello, I just rescued a 3-year old kingsnake. Owner called it a Florida King, but it looks more specifically like a Brooks King to me. Does it look Axanthic to you??

http://i.imgur.com/qYpVt.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/WEnRs.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/noQvJ.jpg

Also, I'm finding a wide range of what temperatures these should be kept at. I know they're from South Florida.. I've got my Vivarium thermostat set to 87 on the warm side, his cool side stays at 74. These temps are constant, day and night. Is this correct??

Thanks in advance for all replies.

Looks like a plain ol florida to me. It doesn't need that much heat. If it never went over 84 he'd be fine. You can let him cool a bit more too with no adverse affects.

They're great pets and get pretty big. That's a nice looking one.

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Originally Posted by wilomn

Looks like a plain ol florida to me. It doesn't need that much heat. If it never went over 84 he'd be fine. You can let him cool a bit more too with no adverse affects.

They're great pets and get pretty big. That's a nice looking one.

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So it's a normal Florida King? I'll take your word for it, I'm not the greatest at identifying Kings.. 84 degrees??!! That just seems insane, but I'm used to ball pythons.. I picked him up this morning and he felt a little cool to the touch so I freaked out and turned his stat up a bit--definitely not used to that! He acted normal though.. Also, being 3 years old, would you expect him to grow any more? He's about 55" right now. I'd like him to get big! Thanks for your help.

It's a Florida King. And yes you dont need the temp to go any higher then 85. Kings like it on the cooler side. You'll probably even find him spending more time on the cold side then the warm side of the tank. And if you wanted him to be on the big side a Kindsnake is the wrong choice. They are smaller snakes. He is most likely full grown by now. They usually max out around 4 years but if he is already the size you say he is(and he looks like it by the picture) he is most likely as big as he'll get. Some care sheet say they will get to 5or 6 feet but they usually are around 3-4, so really you already have a "big" kingsnake by standards.

A care sheet saying a kingsnake grows to between 3-6 feet would be the equivalent as saying humans get to be between 5-8 feet. There are some humans that do get over 8 feet but that deffinatly isnt the norm and doesnt happen often.

Aren't Florida kings and Brooks kings really the same?

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Originally Posted by van_garret2000

It's a Florida King. And yes you dont need the temp to go any higher then 85. Kings like it on the cooler side. You'll probably even find him spending more time on the cold side then the warm side of the tank. And if you wanted him to be on the big side a Kindsnake is the wrong choice. They are smaller snakes. He is most likely full grown by now. They usually max out around 4 years but if he is already the size you say he is(and he looks like it by the picture) he is most likely as big as he'll get. Some care sheet say they will get to 5or 6 feet but they usually are around 3-4, so really you already have a "big" kingsnake by standards.

A care sheet saying a kingsnake grows to between 3-6 feet would be the equivalent as saying humans get to be between 5-8 feet. There are some humans that do get over 8 feet but that deffinatly isnt the norm and doesnt happen often.

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Thanks for replying. I meant that I wanted him to get big for a kingsnake and he certainly is--almost 5 feet. He's awesome. It's really hard for me to keep it 85 on his warm side because I keep my ball python at 91 and he feels warm to the touch when I pick him up. The king feels kinda cool? I trust it though; he eats anything and hangs out on the cooler side.

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Originally Posted by RobNJ

Aren't Florida kings and Brooks kings really the same?

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Yes, as I understand it. Some guy named Brooks thought he discovered a new type of Kingsnake so they were called Brooks Kingsnake's for the awhile. They were localed in South Florida. Then another guy did some research and found out that the "Brooks' kingsnake is really just a Florida Kingsnake but lighter in color.

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Originally Posted by mark896

Yes, as I understand it. Some guy named Brooks thought he discovered a new type of Kingsnake so they were called Brooks Kingsnake's for the awhile. They were localed in South Florida. Then another guy did some research and found out that the "Brooks' kingsnake is really just a Florida Kingsnake but lighter in color.

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So almost like a Hypo Florida Kingsnake type deal. Not a separate species more like a mutation within the species if they are lighter?

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Originally Posted by MikeM75

So almost like a Hypo Florida Kingsnake type deal. Not a separate species more like a mutation within the species if they are lighter?

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Yea, that's the way I understand it. "Brooks" isn't officially used anymore, but herpers and breeders still use the term to specify "light-colored" Florida Kings. I'm not an expert on it, but that's the way I understand it..

Weatherford, eh?? I'm from Burleson, originally.

Floridana will average 4-5' but can reach 7-near 8' in length. I have personally owned a few 6' adults and have seen a monster male that was over 7' and as big around as a soup can. The key to getting them big is feeding hatchling what they want to eat....everything. The first two years are key to any snakes growth potential. Nice looking king. You'll enjoy it thoroughly. They are garbage disposals!