Prairie kingsnake (Lampropeltis calligaster)

Short answers

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

From 110×55×55 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, kingsnakes, 1 adult animal).

Prairie kingsnake: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 24–28 °C, basking spot 29–31 °C, at night 18–21 °C.

Prairie kingsnake: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB not strictly needed; low UVB (Ferguson zone 1) optional.

Prairie kingsnake: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 12–20 years in captivity.

Prairie kingsnake: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

24–28 °C

Night temperature

18–21 °C

Basking spot

29–31 °C

Humidity

40–55 %

UVB

UVB not strictly needed; low UVB (Ferguson zone 1) optional

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 110×55×55 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, kingsnakes, 1 adult animal)

Substrate

Substrate they can dig in (a soil, coco and bark mulch mix), as they half-burrow; hides and room to dig

Feeding

Food

Thawed frozen mice; in the wild also lizards, small mammals and eggs

Feeding interval

adults every 7–14 days, juveniles every 5–7 days

Key facts

Adult size

approx. 75–110 cm

Life expectancy

12–20 years in captivity

Origin

The central to south-eastern USA (prairies, grassland, open woodland)

Protection status

Not listed under CITES, not relevant under German species protection law; prefer captive-bred animals

Brumation

A winter rest of 2–3 months at ~10–15 °C helps (health and breeding); October to March in its range

Cohabitation

Keep them singly. Kingsnakes are ophiophagous and cannibalistic – no groups or pairs; put them together only under supervision for breeding.

Notes

A semi-burrowing, rather secretive species, less common in the trade than other kingsnakes; wild-caught animals can be reluctant feeders – choose captive-bred ones. A powerful constrictor, docile. Mistakes: terrariums that are too damp or too cramped and unstructured.

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 Prairie kingsnake (Lampropeltis calligaster) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 110×55×55 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, kingsnakes, 1 adult animal)), substrate (Substrate they can dig in (a soil, coco and bark mulch mix), as they half-burrow; hides and room to dig), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.