California mountain kingsnake (Lampropeltis zonata)

Short answers

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

120×60×60 cm for one adult animal.

California mountain kingsnake: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 22–27 °C, basking spot 29–31 °C (max. 32 °C, sensitive to heat), at night 16–20 °C.

California mountain kingsnake: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB not essential, weak UVB (Ferguson zone 1–2) is possible.

California mountain kingsnake: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 15–25 years.

California mountain kingsnake: Is it suitable for beginners?

Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

22–27 °C

Night temperature

16–20 °C

Basking spot

29–31 °C (max. 32 °C, sensitive to heat)

Humidity

50–60 %

UVB

UVB not essential, weak UVB (Ferguson zone 1–2) is possible

Enclosure

Minimum size

120×60×60 cm for one adult animal

Substrate

Aspen shavings or dry forest floor, plenty of hides, cork bark; cool zones

Feeding

Food

Rodents (mice); juveniles sometimes only start feeding on lizard-scented prey

Feeding interval

adults every 7–10 days, juveniles every 5–7 days

Key facts

Adult size

approx. 50–125 cm (usually 60–100 cm)

Life expectancy

15–25 years

Origin

Western USA (Washington, Oregon, California) and northwest Mexico (Baja California Norte), mountains up to 2750 m

Protection status

Not listed under CITES; wild populations are protected in California (a collecting restriction) – look for legal captive breeding

Brumation

Winter dormancy is necessary: 3 months at 10–13 °C; without it, mating won't happen

Cohabitation

Keep singly (occasionally eats snakes, including its own species – risk of cannibalism). Only put animals together for supervised, controlled breeding.

Notes

A magnificent but heat- and stress-sensitive montane species; never let the spot get too hot. The young are often tricky feeders. It needs cooler night temperatures and a genuine winter rest – so not one for beginners.

Do you keep this species?

Add your animal to Reptoria – Reptoria reminds you about feeding and shedding. Add your animal for free →

Look for California mountain kingsnake (Lampropeltis zonata) in the marketplace →

Related species

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

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep California mountain kingsnake (Lampropeltis zonata) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (120×60×60 cm for one adult animal), substrate (Aspen shavings or dry forest floor, plenty of hides, cork bark; cool zones), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.