Short-tailed snake (Lampropeltis extenuata)
Snakes · Difficulty: Expert
Key facts and care guidance for Short-tailed snake (Lampropeltis extenuata) (origin: Florida – sandhill habitats). Adult size around 30–50 cm. Life expectancy 10–15 years. The values below are carefully researched guidance.
Short answers
Short-tailed snake: How big does the enclosure need to be?
80×40×30 cm.
Short-tailed snake: What temperature does it need?
Daytime 24–30 °C, basking spot 32 °C, at night 18–22 °C.
Short-tailed snake: Does it need UVB lighting?
UVB: Not required.
Short-tailed snake: How long do they live?
Life expectancy: 10–15 years.
Short-tailed snake: Is it suitable for beginners?
No – better suited to experienced keepers (difficulty: Expert).
Climate
- Daytime temperature
- 24–30 °C
- Night temperature
- 18–22 °C
- Basking spot
- 32 °C
- Humidity
- 45–60 %
- UVB
- Not required
Enclosure
- Minimum size
- 80×40×30 cm
- Substrate
- Fine sand 15–20 cm for digging, leaf litter, flat hides
Feeding
- Food
- A SPECIALIST: small lizards (mainly slender legless lizards); switching them over is difficult
- Feeding interval
- 1–2×/week
Key facts
- Adult size
- 30–50 cm
- Life expectancy
- 10–15 years
- Origin
- Florida – sandhill habitats
- Protection status
- Protected in Florida; IUCN "Vulnerable" – practically unavailable in Europe
- Brumation
- A cooler spell of 8–10 weeks
- 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
A tiny, almost purely burrowing Lampropeltis, formerly placed in its own genus Stilosoma. A lizard specialist – without a secured food source keeping it is not possible.
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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 Short-tailed snake (Lampropeltis extenuata) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (80×40×30 cm), substrate (Fine sand 15–20 cm for digging, leaf litter, flat hides), a heat source with a thermostat, 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/Short-tailed_snake, https://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Lampropeltis&species=extenuata
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).