King snakes are usually pretty easy to keep- pretty straightforward- and they stay a modest size for handling. They're attractive & usually very good feeders- some can be a little too food-focused, but with some regular handling most calm down & aren't biters. They generally accept f/t prey easily. Most have temperature & humidity requirements that are easily met (unlike BPs). Hatchlings are escape artists though- and a gap of .25" is the "Grand Canyon" to them, might as well leave the door open.![]()
Most kings will burrow under their substrate routinely, so choose your substrate & decor so it's not constantly up-ended- "plan" for them to burrow. One thing that would please a king to no end is a false floor with a hole or 2 into the "basement"- which should be shallow (low height) & feel secure, as that's what they'd inhabit in nature- like a rock crevice. Obviously you'll still need access to clean the "basement" so the floor could be made to lift up- snakes never clean their own rooms, lol. Years ago (in the home of a well-respected snake breeder who specialized in breeding high-end milk & king snakes, etc.) I've seen beautiful custom cabinets designed for snakes that had a glass front "display" upper floor, with holes into the "basement" that was actually a drawer that pulled out to clean. Not many go to that trouble any more, I suspect, but it worked well for those lucky & colorful snakes.
You can also use hides that mimic this, such as this design: https://beanfarm.com/collections/bed...hide-out-small







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