Black pine snake (Pituophis melanoleucus lodingi)
Snakes · Difficulty: Intermediate
Key facts and care guidance for Black pine snake (Pituophis melanoleucus lodingi) (origin: Alabama, Mississippi (USA)). Adult size around 130–190 cm. Life expectancy 15–25 years. The values below are carefully researched guidance.
Short answers
Black pine snake: How big does the enclosure need to be?
From 190×95×145 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, bullsnakes and pine snakes).
Black pine snake: What temperature does it need?
Daytime 25–31 °C, basking spot 34 °C, at night 16–20 °C.
Black pine snake: Does it need UVB lighting?
UVB: Recommended (UVB 5.0).
Black pine snake: How long do they live?
Life expectancy: 15–25 years.
Black pine snake: Is it suitable for beginners?
Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).
Climate
- Daytime temperature
- 25–31 °C
- Night temperature
- 16–20 °C
- Basking spot
- 34 °C
- Humidity
- 45–60 %
- UVB
- Recommended (UVB 5.0)
Enclosure
- Minimum size
- from 190×95×145 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, bullsnakes and pine snakes)
- Substrate
- Sand-loam they can dig in, a cork hide, a water dish
Feeding
- Food
- Frozen-thawed mice and rats
- Feeding interval
- 1×/week
Key facts
- Adult size
- 130–190 cm
- Life expectancy
- 15–25 years
- Origin
- Alabama, Mississippi (USA)
- Protection status
- Protected in parts of its range – captive-bred animals only
- Brumation
- A winter rest of 10–14 weeks
- Cohabitation
- Keep them singly. Snakes are solitary and do not seek company — a shared hide is competition for the best spot, not social behaviour. The concrete reason is the feeding accident: if two animals grab the same food item, one can swallow the other along with it. On top of that, once they are kept together you can no longer tell which animal has eaten and which is losing weight. For breeding, put them together under supervision and separate them again afterwards.
Notes
An entirely glossy black subspecies – a visual special case among the pine snakes. Powerfully built and very keen on food; feed only with forceps.
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Related species
- Baja California gopher snake (Pituophis vertebralis) – Intermediate
- Bullsnake (Pituophis catenifer sayi) – Beginner
- Gopher snake (Pituophis catenifer) – Intermediate
- Pine snake (Pituophis melanoleucus) – Intermediate
- Louisiana pine snake (Pituophis ruthveni) – Intermediate
- Mexican pine snake (Pituophis deppei) – Intermediate
- Middle American gopher snake (Pituophis lineaticollis) – Intermediate
- Northern pine snake (Pituophis melanoleucus melanoleucus) – Intermediate
What you need to start
To keep Black pine snake (Pituophis melanoleucus lodingi) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 190×95×145 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, bullsnakes and pine snakes)), substrate (Sand-loam they can dig in, a cork hide, a water dish), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.
The complete, interactive care database is in the Reptoria app.
Last updated: 9 October 2026 · Editor: Reptoria editorial team · Sources include: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pituophis_melanoleucus_lodingi, https://thetyedyediguana.com/care-sheets/gopher-bull-pine-snakes-pituophis-spp/
All values are non-binding guidance and do not replace expert advice. Research thoroughly from several sources before acquiring and keeping an animal, and observe the applicable law (species and animal protection in particular).