King Florida snake question?

Question

I just got a king florida snake in my 10 gallon tank i just have molch a cave and a heat lamp with 60 watts during the day and a night lamp with 75 watts what else do i need and is my tank ok i wanna get a 55 gallon tank (my king fl snake is about 12 inches)

Answer 1

i dont put lights on my kingsnakes...i just use an under tank heater on one side of the tank.  also like someone else said a digital thermometer on the side with the under tank heater on the other side of the tank i just have a stick on thermometer (like one in a fish tank but one made for reptile enclosures (zoo med) i just like to get a general idea of what the temp is on the cold side of the tank.  i put a hide on the side with the heat pad and then on the cold side a water dish.  i also have a piece of drift wood in there (bought at the pet store but i still bake it to kill cooties in it, 275 F for about 2 hours).  i also leave the substrate, pine bedding (zoo med) deep enough for the snake to burrow in.  they love it.  10 gallon is big enough for now and the 55 gallon will be good when it is bigger...i start mine in a 29 gallon long and then put them in a 40 gallon long as adults.  also i didnt handle my baby until he was about 6 or 7 months old (except to put him in a feeding tub)...i had a fear of the little thing getting away from me and it would be impossible to find a snake that size in a house.  i did have to "tame" him at 6 or 7 months though...but he "tamed" really easily.

also 85 - 88 is a bit hot for a king in my opinion...i dont like mine to get much over 80 when it gets to 84 i start cooling down the house.

Answer 2

I would imagine your tank is okay.  Provided day and night temperatures are adequate.

A new 55 gallon tank will cost a lot.  Look  through the local news paper or talk to a pet store to try and locate a cracked one.  Since you will not be putting water in the tank, you will be able to save a good amount of money by buying one that way.

Answer 3

The most important thing you can add to your setup is a digital probe thermometer.  Often sold as indoor/outdoor thermometers for around$12.00 at most garden departments.  Set it to "outdoor" and place the probe under the basking spot.  You want about 85-88F.  Adjust the bulb height or better yet plug the lamp into a dimmer switch to adjust the temp.  The other side of the tank needs to be cooler so the snake can thermo-regulate its body temp.  Have hiding places at both ends, as well as a water bowl.   A 55 gal is too big for a baby...I'd wait until he was 2 feet long.

Answer 4

You'll eventually need a bigger tank, but the one you have is okay for now. And by the way, it's not a King Florida snake, it's called a Florida kingsnake. You don't need the night heat lamp unless it gets cold in your house at night, or you can look into a heating pad. And 75 watts can heat up a small aquarium too much, so make sure you check your temps. Also, you didn't mention a water bowl, so I hope you have one.