California kingsnakes require an ideal ambient temperature of 70 degrees to 75 degrees F with a basking temperature of between 85 degrees and 90 degrees F. Although there is debate on the lighting needs of this breed, many owners will provide fluorescent light for about 10 hours per day to mimic sunlight in the snake's natural habitat. (caringpets.org)
In order to avoid predators, scarlet kingsnakes in North Carolina have evolved to more closely resemble a poisonous lookalike no longer found in the area (scientificamerican.com)
I also often see ball pythons and kingsnakes in schools, and while neither of them are bad choices, I would point out that balls can be picky feeders and are relatively easy to stress, and kings have a habit of gently «test biting» to see if something might be edible. (petbusiness.com)