Sonoran mountain kingsnake (Lampropeltis pyromelana)
Snakes · Difficulty: Intermediate
Key facts and care guidance for Sonoran mountain kingsnake (Lampropeltis pyromelana) (origin: Arizona, Utah, northern Mexico – montane forest). Adult size around 80–110 cm. Life expectancy 15–20 years (individual animals over 20). The values below are carefully researched guidance.
Short answers
Sonoran mountain kingsnake: How big does the enclosure need to be?
From 110×55×55 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, kingsnakes).
Sonoran mountain kingsnake: What temperature does it need?
Daytime 22–28 °C, basking spot 30 °C, at night 15–19 °C.
Sonoran mountain kingsnake: Does it need UVB lighting?
UVB: Not required.
Sonoran mountain kingsnake: How long do they live?
Life expectancy: 15–20 years (individual animals over 20).
Sonoran mountain kingsnake: Is it suitable for beginners?
Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).
Climate
- Daytime temperature
- 22–28 °C
- Night temperature
- 15–19 °C
- Basking spot
- 30 °C
- Humidity
- 50–65 %
- UVB
- Not required
Enclosure
- Minimum size
- from 110×55×55 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, kingsnakes)
- Substrate
- Bark mulch with leaf litter, stone slabs, a cork hide, a water dish
Feeding
- Food
- Frozen-thawed mice of a suitable size
- Feeding interval
- 1×/week
Key facts
- Adult size
- 80–110 cm
- Life expectancy
- 15–20 years (individual animals over 20)
- Origin
- Arizona, Utah, northern Mexico – montane forest
- Protection status
- Not listed under CITES
- Brumation
- A winter rest of 12–16 weeks at 8–12 °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
A cool montane forest species – summer temperatures above 28 °C are tolerated poorly. It needs a long, cold winter rest. Cannibalistic like all Lampropeltis: keep it strictly singly.
Do you keep this species?
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Related species
- Andean milk snake (Lampropeltis micropholis) – 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
- Grey-banded kingsnake (Lampropeltis alterna) – Intermediate
What you need to start
To keep Sonoran mountain kingsnake (Lampropeltis pyromelana) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 110×55×55 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, kingsnakes)), substrate (Bark mulch with leaf litter, stone slabs, a cork hide, a water dish), 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: reptilienkosmos.de, zootier-lexikon.org, reptile-care.de, exotentalk.de, biologie-seite.de
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).