Desert kingsnake (Lampropeltis splendida)

Short answers

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

From 150×75×75 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, kingsnakes).

Desert kingsnake: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 26–29 °C, basking spot 30–32 °C, at night 20–23 °C.

Desert kingsnake: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB not essential; weak UVB optional.

Desert kingsnake: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 15–20+ years.

Desert kingsnake: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

26–29 °C

Night temperature

20–23 °C

Basking spot

30–32 °C

Humidity

40–60 %

UVB

UVB not essential; weak UVB optional

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 150×75×75 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, kingsnakes)

Substrate

Aspen shavings or a sand-soil mix they can dig in; hides

Feeding

Food

Rodents (mice); in the wild also snakes and lizards

Feeding interval

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

Key facts

Adult size

90–120 cm (up to ~150 cm)

Life expectancy

15–20+ years

Origin

The south-western USA (Texas, New Mexico, Arizona) and northern Mexico; semi-arid

Protection status

Not listed under CITES; no special EU requirements

Brumation

No strict winter rest is needed; a slight drop (5–10 °C) to stimulate breeding is optional

Cohabitation

Keep them singly (snake-eating and ophiophagous – a risk of cannibalism). Only for supervised, controlled breeding

Notes

Despite the name not a pure desert animal (semi-arid, often near water). A robust, straightforward beginner's snake that likes to dig. Do not keep it permanently too hot.

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
• 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 Desert kingsnake (Lampropeltis splendida) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 150×75×75 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, kingsnakes)), substrate (Aspen shavings or a sand-soil mix they can dig in; hides), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.