The numbers
Enclosure
120 × 60 × 60 cm
Diet
Rodents (mice → small rats) · Every 7–14 days
Temperature
warm 29–32 °C (85–90 °F) / cool 21–27 °C (70–80 °F) / night Down to ~24 °C
Humidity
40–60% (dry cage; mist for shed)
UVB
Beneficial (diurnal)
Identity
Family / Order
Colubridae / Squamata
Distribution
Deserts, grasslands, chaparral
Adult size
90–120 cm (up to 150)
Lifespan (captivity)
15–20+ yrs
Activity
Diurnal; terrestrial
Temperament
Hardy, active; strong feeder
Price (THB)
~1,500–5,000
Morphs
7 morphs, with how each one is inherited.
AlbinoRecessiveSuper form: —
BananaLine-bredSuper form: —
ChocolateRecessiveSuper form: —
GhostcomboSuper form: —
High White / CoastalLine-bredPatternSuper form: —
LavenderRecessiveSuper form: —
SnowcomboSuper form: —
Enclosure and conditions
Warm side / basking
29–32 °C (85–90 °F)
Cool side
21–27 °C (70–80 °F)
Night
Down to ~24 °C
Humidity
40–60% (dry cage; mist for shed)
UVB
Beneficial (diurnal)
Min. size
120 × 60 × 60 cm (4×2×2 ft)
Substrate
Aspen / coco; secure lid (escape artist)
Water
Bowl deep enough to soak
Diet
Staple
Rodents (mice → small rats)
Prey size
≈ widest part of the body
Method
Frozen-thawed; strong feeding response
Juveniles
Every 5–7 days
Adults
Every 7–14 days
Note
Ophiophagous — eats other snakes; house alone
Behaviour and handling
Handling
Tolerant; may musk or ball at first
Cohabitation
Strictly individual — cannibalistic
Escape
Powerful — secure every gap
Defense
Musk / feign; bites minor
Children
Good, supervised
Reproduction
Sexual maturity
2–3 yrs
Sexing
Probing / popping
Clutch
5–12 eggs
Incubation
~55–65 days at 27–28 °C
Breeding trigger
2–3 month cool brumation
Common health problems
Respiratory infection
Signsclicking, mucus
Preventwarm gradient + ventilation
Mites
Signsblack dots, soaking
Preventquarantine new snakes
Retained shed
Signsstuck eye caps
Preventhumid hide during shed
Regurgitation
Signsfrom handling too soon / prey too big
Preventwait 48 h; correct prey size
When to see a vet
This is not veterinary advice. If red flags appear (open-mouth breathing, months of weight loss, 'stargazing', persistent regurgitation) consult a qualified exotic (herp) veterinarian. Quarantine new arrivals 30–90 days.
Good to know
- 'King' because it eats other snakes — including venomous rattlesnakes, to which it's largely immune.
- Comes in striped, banded, and countless designer morphs.
- One of the hardiest, most reliable-feeding beginner snakes.
Common questions
Can it live with another snake?
Never — it will eat other snakes.
Is it a good beginner snake?
Yes — hardy and a reliable eater.
Will it escape?
Yes if there's any gap — lock it down.
What it needs
- Enclosure 120×60×60
- Heat + thermostat
- Low UVB
- Aspen substrate
- 2 hides
- Water bowl
- F/T mice