What’s the Temperament of a California King Snake?
Before you get a California king snake, you’ll want to know how aggressive it’s going to be or other natural behaviors it may possess so you know whether or not it’s safe to have. I’m as interested in these snakes as you are, so I’ve done some research to help you out.
What’s the temperament of a California king snake? California kingsnakes have a calm temperament. They are not aggressive unless they feel threatened, and they also adapt to captivity well. California kingsnakes, having such a calm temperament and being so easily adaptable, make great pets. They are not dangerous and are very small in size as well, which makes them much easier to maintain and handle.
California kingsnakes are very common snakes to own because of their mild temperament, cool patterns, and easy maintainability. Enthusiasts enjoy them because of the intriguing patterns down the bodies of the snakes. There are just so many reasons why Cali kingsnakes are great. From their temperament and behavior to their ability to be good pets, there is so much more to learn about this snake yet.
California Kingsnakes Temperament and Behavior
California Kingsnakes adapt easily to their environments. They are relatively calm and not aggressive. They may attack if they feel threatened, but it is unlikely.
These cool snakes don’t enjoy being very warm, so they often hide or hibernate when it gets on the warm side. They will hide in piles of leaves or tall shrubs to hide from the sun and then come out to hunt and play in the evening when its cooler. These animals are basically nocturnal so that they can beat the heat.
California Kingsnakes make great pets for many reasons, and once you understand why, it’s hard to imagine having any other snake as a pet.
First off, these patterned snakes, as stated earlier, have a very calm temperament. Having a snake with a calm temperament is so nice because it is a lot friendlier and less of a worry when you do want to take it out of its cage to play with it.
Especially if you have kids around, having a cool pet snake with a calm temperament can make it much easier and much more reassuring when children want to hold it. You can let them handle the reptile without worrying quite as much about them possibly getting hurt.
Another great characteristic making Cali king snakes great pets is that they are very adaptable. Having your snake be easily adaptable can help so much when trying to get it used to its new environment, especially right after you get it.
Because of your snake’s easy adaptability, he won’t be as aggressive when he is trying to get used to his new home. Your snake will also be comfortable with its new environment a lot sooner as well, which means you can handle it safely a lot sooner.
Lastly, California kingsnakes are super easy to maintain. All you have to do is feed it a thawed mouse about once a week, keep its water dish full, keep the tank at a temperature of about 80 degrees and give it some attention once in a while, and your snake will be happy as can be!
Physical Characteristics of the California Kingsnake
One thing that a lot of people like about these snakes is the cool pattern they have.
California kingsnakes can have various patterns of black or brown and white or yellow spots, stripes, and other various patterns, making them super intriguing to view.
Another thing people often enjoy is that these snakes don’t get very big. Cali king snakes are a very manageable size of four feet long when fully grown. Due to their small size, they also don’t take up as much room and don’t need a huge tank. California kingsnakes only need a foot by one and a half foot width and one foot in height sized tank for their enclosure.
Everything you need to know about California Kingsnakes is at the touch of a button. Check out this related post that tells you everything you need to know this fascinating creature.
Are California Kingsnakes Dangerous ?
As mentioned before with their temperament, California kingsnakes are not aggressive at all unless there is a reason for them to be. They are only aggressive when they are scared, so as long as you care for your snake and handle your snake properly then everything should be fine.
You may also be asking the question, “Well if they do get scared and attack? Are they venomous? What do I do if someone gets bitten?” I am here to reassure you that you have nothing to worry about. If a snake gets frightened it is normal for it to possibly strike.
These beautiful snakes are not venomous in any way. So, you don’t have to worry about that. These snakes when scared, instead, will let off a foul-smelling musk on you or poop on you.
If they do happen to bite you, don’t freak out! Especially don’t drop the snake. By dropping it, you can cause much more trauma. The bite won’t hurt more than a mosquito bite, but it is understandable that the action can be scary. Simply keep holding your snake and put it back in its cage then dress the wound as you would any other small scratch.
As I mentioned, these snakes aren’t venomous in any way and can’t poison you, so you will be okay. Just bandage yourself normally and if you have any further problems with it consult a doctor and they can help you out.
How Does a California Kingsnake Hunt ?
A California kingsnake isn’t venomous at all, so you might be wondering how this small snake hunts for its food. In fact, these small snakes are known as constrictors in which they suffocate their food to kill it before eating it.
These snakes, when hunting, will wrap around their prey and keep squeezing tighter and tighter until it eventually blocks off all oxygen to the animal and kills it. It then swallows it just like any other snake would.
These snakes are known to be one of the strongest constrictors of their size, discovered through a study done on kingsnake muscle power.
This is partially assumed because of the California kingsnakes’ most common prey consisting of many other reptiles which need less oxygen to survive. Therefore, the California kingsnakes have the strongest grip to completely suffocate their food.
Related Questions:
Do California kingsnake bites hurt? Cali kingsnake bites generally don’t hurt more than a mosquito bite would because they aren’t venomous and they do not have big teeth.
What is the lifespan of a California kingsnake? A well cared for Cali kingsnake can live from ten to fifteen years of age. Just keep up with a normal feeding schedule, give it the proper attention, keep its tank clean, and keep it well hydrated and healthy, and you should be good.
What does a California kingsnakes’ diet consist of?California kingsnakes eat the following prey: birds, rodents, amphibians, and other snakes, as well as other reptiles they can overpower with their strong constricting abilities. A Cali kingsnake is mostly immune to venom like that of a rattlesnake, which helps it to last longer against other snakes as its prey so it can suffocate the prey without being poisoned in the act.