Scarlet kingsnake (Cemophora coccinea)
Snakes · Difficulty: Intermediate
Key facts and care guidance for Scarlet kingsnake (Cemophora coccinea) (origin: The south-eastern USA). Adult size around 35–65 cm. Life expectancy 10–15 years. The values below are carefully researched guidance.
Short answers
Scarlet kingsnake: How big does the enclosure need to be?
From 80×40×40 cm.
Scarlet kingsnake: What temperature does it need?
Daytime 24–28 °C, basking spot 30 °C, at night 18–21 °C.
Scarlet kingsnake: Does it need UVB lighting?
UVB: Not essential.
Scarlet kingsnake: How long do they live?
Life expectancy: 10–15 years.
Scarlet 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
- 30 °C
- Humidity
- 50–60 %
- UVB
- Not essential
Enclosure
- Minimum size
- from 80×40×40 cm
- Substrate
- Humus and sand they can dig in, with leaf litter
Feeding
- Food
- Small rodents; young animals often take only reptile eggs
- Feeding interval
- Adults 1×/week
Key facts
- Adult size
- 35–65 cm
- Life expectancy
- 10–15 years
- Origin
- The south-eastern USA
- Protection status
- —
- Brumation
- Yes, 8–10 weeks at 12–15 °C
- Cohabitation
- Keep them singly. Snakes are solitary and do not seek company — a shared hide is competition for the best spot, not social behaviour. The concrete reason is the feeding accident: if two animals grab the same food item, one can swallow the other along with it. On top of that, once they are kept together you can no longer tell which animal has eaten and which is losing weight. For breeding, put them together under supervision and separate them again afterwards.
Notes
It lives almost permanently buried and is rarely seen. Switching young animals onto rodents is the difficult part — before buying, clarify whether the animal is already feeding reliably.
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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
What you need to start
To keep Scarlet kingsnake (Cemophora coccinea) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 80×40×40 cm), substrate (Humus and sand they can dig in, with leaf litter), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.
The complete, interactive care database is in the Reptoria app.
Last updated: 9 October 2026 · Editor: Reptoria editorial team · Sources include: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cemophora_coccinea, https://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Cemophora&species=coccinea
All values are non-binding guidance and do not replace expert advice. Research thoroughly from several sources before acquiring and keeping an animal, and observe the applicable law (species and animal protection in particular).