California Kingsnake (Lampropeltis californiae)

California Kingsnake Lampropeltis californiae
Name	California Kingsnake
Name Lat.	Lampropeltis californiae
Synonym	Lampropeltis getula californiae
Family	Colubrids
Family lat.	Colubridae
Order	Scaled Reptiles
Order lat.	Squamata
Origin	SW-USA, Mexico
Habitat	Forests, shrubland
Diet	Small mammals
Humidity	50-70 %
Behavior	Peaceful
Keeping	Individual
Care Level	Moderate
Reproduction	Oviparous
Housing	Semi-humid terrarium
Life Span	10-15 years
Protection	No
Metric Units
Size	90-130 cm
Temperature	24-28 °C
Temperature Local	30-32 °C
Housing Size	130 x 70 x 70 cm
US Units
Size	35"-51"
Temperature	75-82 °F
Temperature Local	86-90 °F
Housing Size	50" x 30" x 30"

Distribution and habitat

The distribution area of the predominantly diurnal, ground-dwelling California kingsnake is the southwestern United States (California, Nevada, Arzona, New Mexico) to Sonora and Baja California in Mexico. They live in shrub savannas and rocky semi-deserts mostly near waterholes.

Maintenance

Minimum dimensions for the terrarium, according to the size and number of animals:

1-2 animals

1KL x 0,5KL x 0,5KL (L x W x H)

Body length (KL) is measured on the largest animal. For each additional animal the floor space should be increased by 20%. A terrarium of e.g. L 130 x W 70 x H 70 cm is recommended, which should be placed in a quiet and vibration-free place.

They need a terrarium structured with roots, stones and cork tubes (hiding places and visual protection) with a graveable substrate, e.g. of sand-humus mixture with peat and foliage, as well as an easy to clean water basin as drinking vessel. To ensure constant humidity, a small portion of the substrate must always be kept slightly moist, for which sheets of sphagnum moss are well suited. Once a day, preferably in the evening, the inside of the terrarium should be finely sprayed with water. A rain or mist system is ideal

Temp. day: 24-28 °C

Temp. night: 18-22 °C

Temp. local: up to 32 °C

Humidity: 50-70

Thermostatically controlled floor heating is recommended. Lighting duration must be 12-14 hrs depending on the season. Daylight fluorescent tubes supplemented with UV lamps are ideal.

Diet

The food supply consists of live rodents (e.g. mice, rats) and nestlings according to their size. After acclimatization, it is often possible to switch to dead food (commercially available frozen food). Juveniles should be offered food every 3-5 days, adults every 7-14 days, with occasional periods of fasting (e.g., skipping a feeding). If the snake is disturbed after feeding, this may result in vomiting of the prey. It is better to offer several small feeders, rather than one large one. If it does not eat for a long period of time, both the timing and the food should be varied. It is important to fortify the food animals with vitamins and minerals. Since the snake could be injured by live rodents, it should not be left unattended with them.

Reproduction and breeding

Probing by the veterinarian is the only reliable method of sex determination.

A resting period is recommended for successful reproduction. The female lays her eggs (6-8 eggs) in the moist substrate about 5 cm deep and does not perform brood care. The incubation period is 50-65 days at a temperature of 28 °C. The young are 12-20 cm in size and can be fed with nest young mice.

Important

They come in different color varieties and are mostly docile, but can bite hard. They need a sunny place warmed by radiators. Socialization is not recommended as they will eat conspecifics and other snakes, including venomous ones. When threatened, they vibrate their tails and emit strong-smelling feces

A resting period of 3-4 months at a temperature of 8-12 °C accompanied by a feeding break is recommended.

Always have snake hooks and protective gloves ready when handling.The terrarium must have good ventilation without drafts and meet the species specific needs. Measuring devices such as thermometers, hygrometers, etc. are necessary. The lighting has to correspond to the species-specific day-night rhythm and has to be placed in such a way that the animals cannot injure themselves. The terrarium should be locked in such a way that neither unauthorized persons can open it nor the animals can escape. Contamination must be removed regularly

Further literature can be found in your pet store.

References

Text: Clemens Kapsreiter; Image: Franz Lowak

Source: BMELV (1997): Tierschutzgutachten -  Mindestanforderungen an die Haltung von Reptilien; ENGELMANN (2006): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Reptilien und Amphibien, Harri Deutsch Verlag

• Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF