King Snake

This page is educational reference material for preparing questions. A licensed veterinarian examines the animal, makes the diagnosis, and sets the treatment.

A genus people shop for by color

King snake means Lampropeltis. California, Mexican black, Florida, speckled, and the milk snakes all land here, and several have their own pages. Figure 3 to 6 feet and 15 to 25 years, because that is the band, not a single measurement. Care level is beginner for the everyday captive-bred animals. Temperatures of 75 to 85°F and humidity of 40 to 60 percent are the shared starting range. A desert locality and a Florida animal still want different moisture. Ask what you bought.

The famous habit is eating other snakes. One cage, one king. Forty to seventy-five gallons is a fair adult size. Longer is better than taller, except that they also climb, so the lid locks. Thawed rodents are the diet. A mouse that is slightly wider than the head is enough.

Captive-bred, and a name

Wild kings carry parasites and, in many places, legal trouble. Buy a captive-bred snake and write down the species. Babies musk and rattle their tails. That show fades with calm handling. It comes back if you grab them on a feeding day or after handling a rodent.

Refusal plus weight loss is medical until proven otherwise. Start with the appetite guide and a clinic from ARAV.

King snake questions

Which king snake is this?

The page covers the genus. California kings, Mexican black kings, milk snakes, and Florida kings do not share one adult size. 3 to 6 feet is the spread across the group.

Can two king snakes live together?

No. They eat snakes. A shared cage is a feeding plan, not a social life.

Are king snakes beginners?

Many of the common captive species are, and care is beginner. A secure lid and a thawed-mouse diet are the skills. The lifespan is still 15 to 25 years.