Lampropeltis

  Area: The south of the United States and Mexico

 

Length: max. 130 cm

 

Feeding: mice, little rats, snakes, lizards and hamsters

 

English name: Milk- and Kingssnake

The Milk- and kingssnakes are comparing to the cornsnake the same to keep. The big difference is that you can not keep Lampropeltis with other snakes. On the menu of the Milk- and Kingssnakes are also other snakes. Some of the Lampropeltis (getulus-species) you always can smell if you handle them. The Milk- and Kingsnakes have nice colours. The triangulum species have the same bright colour as the venomous Coralsnake. Hatchlings are not always easy to feed. Some of the hatchlings starts to eat next spring.

Upkeep: The Milk- and Kingssnakes are easy to keep. The temperature is day over 27 degrees, at night 22 degrees. As substrate we use wood strings on the bottom. A small shelter is needed. You can use artificial plants and a little piece of wood. A water dish makes it complete.

 

Breeding: They needs a winter sleep in the months November, December and January (till 15 degrees). They mate in the spring and they lay eggs max 12.

You can incubate the eggs in wet vermiculite. The incubation time will take from 60 till 62 days, at an average temperature of 28/29 degrees.