Desert Kingsnake Husbandry Questions

[The Serpent Merchant]

I got a desert kingsnake a few weeks ago at the repticon orlando show. She is doing very well and is going into shed at the moment. I am having a hard time finding good information on these snakes. Does anyone know what the general humidity requirements for them are and what is necessary for shed?

How does the shedding process work with them? Is it more or less the same as it is with BP's?

I'm currently heating the cage with a 50 watt infrared heat bulb, which creates a 86-92 degree hot side. The cool side sits at 75-78 degrees. Humidity stays around 45%-55%. I turn off the heat lamp at night and the cage drops to no lower than 72 degrees. Does all this sound about right? Do I need to bump the humidity some for shed?

Thanks

[wilomn]

Your humidity should be fine unless you're running an A/C all the time. You can always put a container with damp moss or vermiculite or paper towels in it for him to use.

He doesn't need anything higher than 86, though it is OK if it goes higher. Don't worry about the lows, if he gets down in the 50s he'll still be ok. I doubt it gets that cold in your house.

A picture would help. Sometimes desert kings aren't really desert kings.

[The Serpent Merchant]

Here are some pictures

This one accurately shows her colors



The rest not so much...







Right now she is in my Quarinetine tank which unfortunately doesn't have a thermostat. Once she is in her real cage she will have a regulated heat source that will keep things better in check.

My humidity is what naturally is in the cage. I would have no issue at all raising it of need be.

[wilomn]

That's a nice looking splendida. It might have a little calking in it too.

She should be fine at your place. They're very neat snakes.

[TheWinWizard]

The humidity will be fine. Like already stated 85 is a nice hotspot, and your lows are fine. She's a beauty. Good luck with her.

[vangarret2000]

The hotspot should be 85 but I don't agree that it is fine if it is getting hotter. Kings like it in the cooler side. Quite often you find them more on the cool end of the tank even when the hot side is a good temp. Now if it is going a little bit above 85 every few days or so I would say it is not a big deal although it should still should try to be stopped. But if it is regularly 86-92 then that is not good.