How Do You Care For A California Kingsnake (Lampropeltis Getula Californiae)?
The California Kingsnake is an excellent choice for a first pet snake. Reaching only about 4 feet in length they are easy to handle and feed. This article will give you the basic information needed to care for these amazing colubrids. Purchase a secure and well ventilated enclosure for the snake. A hatchling can be kept in a 10 gallon glass aquarium. An adult Kingsnake will require a 20 to 30 gallon aquarium. Many breeders and collectors keep their Kingsnakes in rack systems designed for reptiles. Cover the floor of the enclosure with a suitable substrate. Newspaper, butcher’s paper, paper towels and corrugated cardboard make a good cheap cage liner. Aspen shavings or cypress mulch also make good substrates, be sure to never use a substrate containing cedar as the oils in cedar can be fatal to snakes. Provide your snake with a hot spot around 88-90 degrees Fahrenheit and a background temperature of 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. This can be achieved using an under tank heat pad/heat tape
