Archives of The Cold Blooded News

The Newsletter of the Colorado Herpetological Society

Volume 31, Number 6;   June, 2004

Herp-of-the-Month

Compiled by Deanna Lance

Common Name:

California Kingsnake

Scientific Name:

Lampropeltis getula californiae

Range:

tip of Baja to Southern Oregon, west coast of California to desert areas of Nevada and Arizona

Locale:

coastal phase (brown and yellow), desert phase (black and white)

Size:

average: 42-50 inches; 60 inches max

Lifespan:

10-15 years average, 23 year record

Active:

diurnal

Habitat:

desert, chaparral, farm land, river bottoms, grasslands, deciduous and coniferous forest

Captive Care:

20-30 gal aquarium, undertank heating; newsprint, dried pine or aspen, Care Fresh or Lizard Litter; water bowl large enough for soaking, fresh water at all times; shelters at both ends
Ophiophagus (snake eating) - house separately except during breeding season

Temp:

gradient of 77°F to 86°F, nighttime low, low 70's (use undertank heat source)

Foods:

in nature: rodents, birds, lizards, frogs, snakes; in captivity: mice -> pinky, fuzzy (adults are too large), neonates may require lizards feed medium meal every 5-7 days

Temperament:

can be nippy

Breeding:

brumate low to mid 50's; December to mid-March;
introduce pairs 6 weeks after hibernation (May)
breeding to egg laying: 42 to 63 days (June to July)
clutch size: 6-23 (average 9, coastal type); 6-12 (average 7, desert type)
incubation: 42 to 63 days

References:

Raiti, Paul. (1997) Captive Care of the Common Kingsnake, Lamprope/tis getula. [On-line]. Available: http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/slg/kingcare.htm.
Markel, Ronald (1990) King Snakes and Milksnakes. T.F.H. publications, Inc., Neptune City, NJ. 144pp.
Markel, Ronald (1997) King Snakes and Milksnakes from altema to zonata. Reptiles USAAnnual pp. 107-119.
Markel, Ronald and Bartlett, R. D. (1995) King Snakes and Milksnakes. Barron's Educational Series, Inc. Hauppauge, NY 94pp.
Perlowin, David (1992) The General Care and Maintenance of Common Kingsnakes. Advanced Vivarium Systems, Inc. Lakeside, CA 92040.