California Kingsnake Size report

The California kingsnake (Lampropeltis californiae) is the most common species of Kingsnake, Lampropeltis. This scientific name describes the characteristics of this type of snake very accurately: glossy, smooth, with scaly.

Lampropeltis can be found in almost all regions of the United States: south of Lake Ontario and Quebec, north through Central America to parts of South America, in deserts, swamps, farmlands, grasslands, and deciduous forests; Kingsnakes are also found in the Rocky Mountains at 8,500 feet and the Andes at 10,000 feet, as well as in riversides. So it is also called common Kingsnake in the United States.

By the late 1990s, California Kingsnakes were found in Gran Canaria, Spain's Canary Islands. Since then, the California Kingsnake has spread and reproduced at an alarming rate. As a European invasive species, they cause considerable damage locally. The European Union has banned this species, and breeding enthusiasts must pay attention to it. The following introduces more facts about the California Kingsnake; you should read it before raising one.

California Kingsnake Size and Appearance

Due to ease of care and a wide range of color variations, the California kingsnake is one of the most popular snakes in captivity. The basic body color of California Kingsnake is a circular pattern of black and white intertwined like an umbrella festival. There are also many other variant colors, including the base color ranging from black to brown, the ring markings are white to yellow, and longitudinal stripes and star spots. Different origins lead to very large regional individual differences in California king snakes.

The attractive California Kingsnake name 'king' comes from their ability to prey on other snakes, especially feed poisonous snakes. They also prey on lizards, mice, birds, and other small mammals. Kingsnakes generally entangle their prey to suffocate them before swallowing them. If snakes are infested in the area where people live, as long as a kingsnake is raised, the snakes and rats will be extinct within a few kilometers.

Average Size of California Kingsnake

The adult California Kingsnake has an overall length between 1-2 meters and a weight of 0.4-1.5 kilogram. The typical lifespan of the California Kingsnake is between 10-20 years in the wild. The hatched baby snakes are about 20-30 centimeters long, and it usually takes more than three years to grow into adults.

Living Habits And Reproduction

California Kingsnakes are widely distributed in their original habitats and adapt to many different environments, including deserts, grasslands, forests, swamps, bushes, mountains, and other areas. Their high adaptability also makes them very adaptable to the artificial breeding environment, and their growth and reproduction are very stable. It is a diurnal snake with males competing for mates. Kingsnakes mostly mate between March and June. Females can lay 4-20 oval-shaped eggs each time, which can hatch in about 45-90 days. In hot climates, the mating time will be earlier, and the growth time will be shortened to about two and a half years.

Final Words

California Kingsnake is a popular pet snake because of its gentle temperament and easy care, and it is widely bred for its beautiful and colorful color patterns. Although kingsnakes are gentle, they will hiss and fight back if threatened, sometimes rolling into a ball and spraying their feces at the enemy. As long as you don't catch the snake with excessive force when raising it, it rarely bites people. Snakes are more active than pythons, so the box should be large enough. The box can be filled with reptile sand or wood chips, and a water basin can be placed to provide drinking water; a shelter, such as a cave, can be placed for it to hide in.