Description:
Scientific name: Lampropeltis getula
Life span: 10-15 years
Among collectors of non-lethal snakes native to the United States and Mexico, eastern kingsnakes are a favourite. A succession of 23–52 white chain-like rings are layered on top of a glossy black, blue-black, or dark brown base hue to create their color pattern. Kingsnakes situated in mountainous places have narrower bands or may be entirely black, whilst those from coastal plains have larger bands.
Native Region/Habitat
In Mexico and the United States, eastern kingsnakes can be found. The preferred habitat for these snakes is open terrain, mainly grassland, although they will also dwell in chaparral, oak forest, desert, low mountains, sand, and any form of riparian zone, such as swamps, canals, and streams.
Behavior:
The solitary, nocturnal eastern kingsnakes are reptiles. They spend the day foraging, moving around, soaking up the sun, or sleeping under the leaves. They may convert to nighttime activity on hot summer days. These snakes can swim and climb trees in addition to living on the ground.
Care As a pet/In captivity:
- Eastern Kingsnakes require a cool side that is between 75°F and 80°F. An under-tank heater or a low-watt ceramic heat emitter can be used to warm this. Thermostat and thermometer are required for both devices.
- Their enclosure’s hot side should be between 85 and 90 degrees. The area that should be the warmest is the area right beneath a 75–100 watt basking lamp. The ideal lamp is a basking spot lamp that can alternate between day and night.
- These snakes can adapt to frozen-thawed prey with ease. Place the thawed mouse in the bag in a warm water bath to increase the temperature (do not use the microwave defroster; it will just breed bacteria).
- Glass vivarium is the tank type.
- A 20-gallon tank.
- 75–100 watt basking bulb for lighting.
- Terrain: topsoil
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