Care sheet
Common Kingsnake
Lampropeltis getula
Also known as: Eastern Kingsnake
Colubridae · Squamata
- Activity
- 🌆 Crepuscular
- Temperament
- Docile
- Adult length
- 36–60 in
- Lifespan (captivity)
- 15–25 yrs
- Native range
- United States and northern Mexico — wide range across varied habitats
Care guide
Overview
Common Kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula) — a hardy, easy-to-keep colubrid and excellent beginner snake. Kingsnakes eat other snakes in the wild, so always house them individually and feed with care.
Environment
Climate
Housing
Enclosure
- HatchlingNot specified
- JuvenileNot specified
- Adult4x2x2 ft (48x24x24 in) for an adult
Housing
Substrate
Nutrition
Diet & feeding
- AdultMice / small rats no wider than ~1.5x the snake at its widest
- HatchlingEvery 5-7 days
- JuvenileEvery 7-10 days
- AdultEvery 7-14 days
Care
Water & behavior
Sturdy water bowl the snake can drink from and occasionally soak in.
Legal & ecology
Conservation
Least Concern; not CITES-listed. Powerful feeders and ophiophagous in the wild — house singly.
Genetics
Morphs
Citations
Sources
Every husbandry parameter on this page is backed by the references below. Click through to read the originals.
- Lampropeltis getula — species accountacademic
Animal Diversity Web, U. Michigan
Range, biology, ophiophagous diet.
Published: 2020-01-01
- government
Least Concern; widespread US/Mexico range.
Published: 2019-01-01
- Kingsnake Care Sheetbreeder community
ReptiFiles (Mariah Healey)
Temps, humidity, enclosure size, aspen substrate, feeding schedule.
Published: 2022-01-01