Kingsnakes (and Milk Snakes): Setup, Temperatures and Feeding
Is a Kingsnake Right for You?
California kingsnakes and Mexican black kingsnakes are among the most popular pet snakes in the US, and milk snakes are close relatives with similar care. They're hardy, curious and usually enthusiastic eaters, active by day and night. Young kingsnakes can be nippy and musky when nervous, but most settle with gentle, regular handling. Expect 20 years or more.
Housing
ReptiFiles gives 4 × 2 × 2 feet (120 × 60 × 60 cm) as a good starting point, adjusted for your species' adult size, and bigger is better. Kingsnakes are good climbers and escape artists, so use a lockable, front-opening enclosure.
- About 4 inches (10 cm) of soil-like substrate with leaf litter on top.
- Hides at both ends, plus a humid hide with damp moss.
- Branches and cork for climbing.
- A water bowl big enough to soak in.
- One snake per enclosure. Kingsnakes are named for eating other snakes, including their own kind.
Heat, Light and Humidity
- Basking surface: 85–90°F (29–32°C).
- Cool side: 70–78°F (21–26°C).
- Night: heat off; a normal room drop is fine.
- Humidity: 40–60%, higher in the humid hide.
- UVB: beneficial; aim for a UV index of about 2.0–3.0 at the basking spot, with plenty of shade.
Put heat on a thermostat or dimmer and measure with digital gauges. These are typical ranges from keeper care sheets; check with your vet or a specialist keeper.
Setting Up for a Kingsnake
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A lockable, front-opening enclosure sized for your species is the base. A heat lamp on a dimmer or thermostat warms the basking spot, and a digital thermometer and hygrometer check it. A soil-like substrate, hides, branches and a large water bowl finish the setup, and feeding tongs keep fingers clear.
Feeding
Feed frozen-thawed whole prey, offered with tongs. ReptiFiles suggests feeding hatchlings every 5–7 days and adults every 10–14 days, with prey only a little larger than the snake's widest point (roughly 10% of its weight). Variety helps: mice, young rats and other whole prey. Kingsnakes have big appetites, so watch for weight gain.
Health: Preventive Care
Find a vet who treats reptiles before you buy, and book a check-up after your snake settles. Weigh monthly. Wash your hands after handling; reptiles can carry salmonella. Buy captive-bred.
Rules on keeping snakes differ by country and state (Hawaii, for example, doesn't allow pet snakes), so check before you buy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Size and company come up most.
How big do kingsnakes get?
From about 2 to 6 feet (60–180 cm), depending on species and subspecies. California kingsnakes are usually toward the middle of that range.
Can two kingsnakes live together?
No. Kingsnakes eat other snakes, including other kingsnakes. Always keep one per enclosure.
What size enclosure does a kingsnake need?
ReptiFiles suggests 4 × 2 × 2 feet (120 × 60 × 60 cm) as a starting point, adjusted for your species' adult size.
How often do kingsnakes eat?
Hatchlings every 5–7 days and adults every 10–14 days, on frozen-thawed prey.
Are kingsnakes good for beginners?
Many are. They're hardy and keen eaters; young ones can be nippy at first but usually settle with gentle handling.
How long do kingsnakes live?
Often 20 years or more with good care.
Related Reading
- Corn snakes: the other classic starter snake.
- Ball pythons: calm, slow and long-lived.
- Terrariums and enclosures: sizes and locks.
These are typical care figures, not a health plan for your snake. If your snake loses weight, has trouble breathing or seems unwell, contact a vet who treats reptiles.