Eastern kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula getula)

Short answers

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

From 180×90×90 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, kingsnakes).

Eastern kingsnake: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 26–30 °C, basking spot 30–32 °C, at night 20–24 °C.

Eastern kingsnake: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB not essential; weak UVB optional.

Eastern kingsnake: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 20–25+ years.

Eastern kingsnake: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

26–30 °C

Night temperature

20–24 °C

Basking spot

30–32 °C

Humidity

40–60 %

UVB

UVB not essential; weak UVB optional

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 180×90×90 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, kingsnakes)

Substrate

Aspen shavings or forest floor they can dig in; hides

Feeding

Food

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

Feeding interval

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

Key facts

Adult size

90–120 cm (individuals up to ~150–180 cm)

Life expectancy

20–25+ years

Origin

The eastern USA (the coastal plain to the Appalachians)

Protection status

Not listed under CITES; no special EU requirements

Brumation

A slight winter rest (several weeks at ~10–15 °C) to stimulate breeding; otherwise not essential

Cohabitation

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

Notes

A classic, very robust beginner's snake and a keen feeder. Because it eats snakes, feed and keep it strictly singly. Offer substrate for digging.

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
• Grey-banded kingsnake (Lampropeltis alterna) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Eastern kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula getula) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 180×90×90 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, kingsnakes)), substrate (Aspen shavings or forest floor 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.