Kingsnakes (also Milksnakes)

Lampropeltis sp.

Description

Kingsnakes (like king cobras) get their name from the fact that they eat other snakes, including venomous snakes. There are currently nine recognized species of kingsnake: the Texas grey-banded kingsnake, Lampropeltis alterna; Prarie kingsnake, Lampropeltis calligaster; Common kingsnake, Lampropeltis getula; Mexican black, grey-banded kingsnake or San Luis Potosi kingsnake, Lampropeltis mexicana; Arizona mountain kingsnake, Lampropeltis pyromelana; Ruthven’s or Queretaro kingsnake, Lampropeltis ruthveni; Milksnake, Lampropeltis triangulum; Sinaloan mountain kingsnake, Lampropeltis webbi; and the California mountain kingsnake, Lampropeltis zonata. Six of these species are further divided into subspecies, with milksnakes having the greatest number of subspecies at 25-26 (depending on who you choose to believe). It is probably due this number of subspecies that milksnakes are often mentioned separately from kingsnakes, in spite of the fact that they are the same species (they are also kingsnakes). Kingsnakes are tremendously variable in coloration and with the vast amount of captive breeding virtually every color of the rainbow with several pattern variations can be found. Many kingsnakes and milksnakes are often referred to as “tricolored” due to the commonality of alternating bands of (usually) three colors seen on many species (most frequently, black, white or yellow and red or orange). With the large number of species, it is no surprise that there is a substantial range in adult size. Several North American kingsnakes reach a maximum of 1 ½ to 2 feet (46-61 centimeters) in length, whereas Central and South American species are usually larger, reaching up to 6 feet or more (1.8 meters +). Kingsnakes can live up to 30 years, with 15-20 being more common.

Natural Habitat

Kingsnakes are New World snakes, native to North, Central and South Americas. They are found from southeastern Canada south all the way into Ecuador. They inhabit quite a range of terrain, from montane to desert. They are terrestrial with fossorial tendencies, often using the ground to thermoregulate (i.e. escape the heat or cold). Kingsnakes are largely nocturnal or crepuscular, but may be active during the day when the temperatures are cooler.

Artificial Habitat

Kingsnakes adapt well to captivity and do not require a lot of space. Kingsnakes should be kept singly as they can be cannibalistic. A horizontally-oriented 20-gallon aquarium is a good minimum size for many adult snakes, with larger species requiring larger enclosures. Kingsnakes, like most reptiles, benefit from a good thermal gradient. They should be provided with a basking area of 87-90 degrees Fahrenheit, with a drop of 10-15 degrees on the opposite side. This is most efficiently provided by an undertank heating element such as heating tape, wire or pads. Lights are not necessary as kingsnakes are largely nocturnal and therefore do not generally bask in sunlight, but can be used for aesthetic purposes. Kingsnakes occasionally like to burrow and the substrate should be of a type and deep enough to afford this type of behavior. Good choices include sand, wood chips or shavings (but not cedar, oily or aromatic woods), sterile potting soil, aspen bedding or another similar material. A water bowl should be provided, but does not need to be present constantly (many of these species come across water infrequently in the wild). If you choose not to leave the bowl in the enclosure, offer water 1-2 times a week.

Diet

Kingsnakes have what can only be described as a cosmopolitan diet, eating virtually any living (or recently living, or partially or mostly dead) item they can fit in their mouths. This includes, but in no way is restricted to: small mammals and bird, snakes, lizards, amphibians, fish and small eggs. Kingsnakes adapt quite well to eating thawed frozen rodents as well.

Caveats

Kingsnakes are cannibalistic and will eat one another and other snakes, so they are best housed singly.

Kingsnakes will twitch their tails rapidly when nervous. This can be an indication they might bite, or simply an indication that they are uncomfortable in their current surroundings. Short, regular and gentle handling will often help assure the snake that you mean it no harm and this behavior will often stop.

Kingsnakes can develop a blister like disease if they are kept on damp and/or unclean substrates. With dry and clean substrates they are hearty animals.