California kingsnake (Lampropeltis californiae)

Short answers

California kingsnake: How big does the enclosure need to be?

From 130×65×65 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, kingsnakes).

California kingsnake: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 25–30 °C, basking spot 32 °C, at night 18–22 °C.

California kingsnake: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Not essential.

California kingsnake: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 15–20 years.

California kingsnake: Is it suitable for beginners?

Yes – it is considered suitable for beginners (difficulty: Beginner).

Climate

Daytime temperature

25–30 °C

Night temperature

18–22 °C

Basking spot

32 °C

Humidity

40–60 %

UVB

Not essential

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 130×65×65 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, kingsnakes)

Substrate

Beech granulate or coco humus, hides in the warm and cool zones, climbing branches

Feeding

Food

Frozen-thawed mice

Feeding interval

adults every 7–10 days

Key facts

Adult size

90–130 cm

Life expectancy

15–20 years

Origin

California, Baja California, Arizona

Protection status

Not listed under CITES

Brumation

A winter rest of 8–12 weeks at 10–15 °C

Cohabitation

Keep singly. In the wild the snake is solitary and eats other snakes, so single housing is the only safe choice. A pair only briefly for mating and under close observation, then separate so the animals do not eat each other; also feed separately.

Notes

A robust, easily kept colubrid — but markedly cannibalistic: it eats its own kind. Never put two together, not even briefly outside a controlled pairing. A very efficient feeder, prone to obesity.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Andean milk snake (Lampropeltis micropholis) – Intermediate
• Sonoran mountain kingsnake (Lampropeltis pyromelana) – Intermediate
• Isla Todos Santos kingsnake (Lampropeltis herrerae) – Expert
• California mountain kingsnake (Lampropeltis zonata) – Intermediate
• Chihuahuan mountain kingsnake (Lampropeltis knoblochi) – Intermediate
• Desert kingsnake (Lampropeltis splendida) – Beginner
• Florida kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula floridana) – Beginner
• Eastern kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula getula) – Beginner

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep California kingsnake (Lampropeltis californiae) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 130×65×65 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, kingsnakes)), substrate (Beech granulate or coco humus, hides in the warm and cool zones, climbing branches), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.