Lampropeltis (Kings and Milks)

[Bitis_Gabonica]

The Lampropleltis genus, part of the colubridae family, is made up of the King and Milk snakes. King snakes are found in most parts of North America, and milk snakes in parts of North and Central Americas (Milks may have a wider range). The Lampropeltis species have become very popular in the pet trade and are very stunning snakes due to colouration, pattern, and morphes that have been bred. My personal favorites are the California King, Pueblan Milk, and Honduran Milk.
Husbandry for the Lampropeltis species is almost, if not identical, to keeping other Colubrids like Garter, Rat, and Hognose snakes. Kings and Milks are great beginner snakes and have great personalities and love to explore. Caging these guys can be done very simply depending on what kind of cage you prefer. Neonates can be kept in small pet carriers, small rubbermaid containers, or Small rack systems. It is never a good idea to give a neonate to much room. This will make them feel exposed and lead to stress and even feeding strikes. A general rule of thumb for caging any snake is the length of the cage should be half the length of the snake, and the width about 2/3 the snakes length. I have read that adult Kings and Milks can be kept in 10g tanks but I prefer decent sized racks, or a 20g long. Always make sure that your cages are secure and escape proof. If there is a way out they will find it. All snakes are escape artists. The last thing you want is to walk in you snake room and see one of your snakes slithering across the floor. This actually happened to me with my Cal. King.
Heating is fairly easy to provide for Kings and Milks. They don't even require a heat lamp most of the time but they are also not a bad idea to have. I keep my Cal. King at room temp with no heat lamp and he seems to do fine. A heat pad should work through the winter months if you don't hibernate your snakes. Heat rocks are BAD. They can get way to hot and burn your snake.
Lampropeltis feeding is fairly easy. Most will strike at the first scent of a rodent. Neonates should be fed a pinky twice a week, Sub-adults should be fed a fuzzy mouse once a week. Adults should be fed a large mouse or medium rat once every 14 days. Lampropeltis are great feeders and almost never refuse food unless they are in shed.
Now I will talk about some fun facts about the Lampropletis genus. All Kings are cannibalistic. They will eat other snakes. Especially Rattlesnakes. If a Rattlesnake encounters a King in the wild, they will "bow" their bodies. This makes them appear bigger than they really are in hopes that the King will not see them as a prey item. This is how the get the name "King snake". As most of you may know, most Milk snakes are red, black, and yellow in colouration (also includes the Scarlet Kingsnake). This is a defense mechanism that fools predators into thinking that they a deadly Coral snake. However there is a distict trait that tells the deadly Coral snake apart from the harmless Milksnakes. Red on yellow, kills a fellow. Red on black, venom lack.
I hope you all enjoyed reading this info and care of the Lampropeltis species. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask!

[Bitis_Gabonica]

When I said I keep him at room temp, the temp in the snake room is around 80 degrees.

[wilomn]

Have you ever heard of the South American Coral snake? surinamensis I believe is the species.

Red touching black on that one.

Also, again on the feeding, not good for the adults, not enough.

How long have you been keeping snakes and does whomever wrote these care sheets know you're posting them?

[Bitis_Gabonica]

I wrote them for snakebytestv.ning.com and I realize about the adult feeding.
Every 5-7 days.

[Bitis_Gabonica]

By the way, I was refering to the North American Coral snakes.

[wilomn]

By the way, I was refering to the North American Coral snakes.

AHhh, I had my mind reading device set on low. It's turned up now so no need to worry about giving out information that could kill me.

The rest of the world, they may not have theirs turned up yet......

[Bitis_Gabonica]

Ok. Maybe I should do alittle better job of researching before I post things.

[wilomn]

Ok. Maybe I should do alittle better job of researching before I post things.

DING DING DING and we have a WINNA!!!!!

[Bitis_Gabonica]

Ahhh..... Bad start. O well. Time for improvements.

[wilomn]

Ahhh..... Bad start. O well. Time for improvements.

Excellent attitude.

It's cool to want to help and to try to spread knowledge, but first you need to know what you're talking about. Just regurgitating other peoples misinformation does no one a bit of good.