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Snake Keeper Guide See available animals on MorphMarket

California kingsnake care

Lampropeltis californiae

Short answer

California kingsnakes are constrictors from southwestern North America that rarely exceed 4 feet[1]. The RSPCA's kingsnake sheet sets the basking zone at 26–30°C (79–86°F), the cool end at 21–24°C (70–75°F) and humidity around 40–55%[2]. They eat other snakes, so always house them alone[2]. Oakland Zoo estimates 10–15 years in the wild and 20+ in human care[1].

Quick facts
Adult lengthRarely over 4 feet[1]
LifespanWild 10–15 years; 20+ years in human care[1]
Basking zone26–30°C (79–86°F)[2]
Cool end21–24°C (70–75°F)[2]
NightCan drop to around 18°C (64°F) with heat off[2]
HumidityAround 40–55%, with a light daily misting[2]
Adult feedingOne adult mouse every 7–14 days[2]

The RSPCA care sheet used for the numbers on this page covers kingsnakes as a group (genus Lampropeltis), not California kingsnakes alone[2]. Natural-history details are from Oakland Zoo's California kingsnake page[1].

What kind of snake is it?

California kingsnakes live across California, Nevada, Utah, Oregon, Arizona and northwestern Mexico, in almost every habitat from chaparral and rocky outcrops to farmland and suburban brush[1]. The usual wild pattern is alternating bands of black or brown and white or pale yellow[1]. They are active by day in cool months and shift toward dawn and dusk when it gets hot[1]. Disturbed, they may vibrate the tail, hiss, hide the head and release musk[1].

The "king" part is about diet. Kingsnakes hunt other snakes, including rattlesnakes, and are resistant to most native snake venom[1].

House them alone

This is the rule that matters most with kingsnakes. They are solitary and territorial, and kept together they may attack or eat each other[2]. One snake, one enclosure, always.

Enclosure

RSPCA rule: at least the snake's length long, and a third of its length in width and height. Their example is 180 × 60 × 60 cm (about 71 × 24 × 24 in) for a 180 cm kingsnake[2]. A California kingsnake that tops out under 4 feet needs less, by the same rule. Give many hides, at least one at each end, a humid hide, branches, and a water bowl big enough for the snake to fully submerge[2].

Heat and light

Basking zone 26–30°C (79–86°F), cool end 21–24°C (70–75°F), checked daily with a thermometer at each end[2]. With normal household temperatures you can turn heat off at night and let it fall to around 18°C (64°F); below that, add non-light heat on a thermostat[2]. VCA's general figure for kingsnakes is a cage kept around 25–30°C (77–86°F)[3].

The RSPCA recommends a UVB gradient from UV index 0.7 in the basking zone to zero in shade, and advises asking a reptile vet about albino morphs[2].

Feeding

Feed dead mice or small rats. Hatchlings start on one pinky every five to six days and work up to one adult mouse every seven to 14 days[2]. Frozen prey must be fully defrosted and brought to room temperature first[2]. Offer it with tongs[2], and wash your hands after touching prey: a kingsnake that smells food may try to bite[2].

Handling

Kingsnakes get used to handling but don't like long sessions[2]. Scoop, never grab; grabbing can lead to biting or musking[2]. Around 10–15 minutes at a time, and not within 48 hours of a meal[2].

Health watch

  • Old skin left on the eyes after a shed: take the snake to a reptile vet. Don't try to remove eye caps at home[2].
  • Sudden refusal to eat: check the setup, then consult a vet[2].
  • Respiratory infections in kingsnakes usually come from humidity that is too high with poor ventilation[2].

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Sources

  1. Oakland Zoo: California kingsnake
  2. RSPCA: Kingsnake
  3. VCA Animal Hospitals: Snakes: colubrid

Sources last checked 2026-10-20.