ReptiHabitat
tropical

California Kingsnake

The desert rat snake: bulletproof husbandry, bold personality, and the famous kingsnake superpower — immunity to rattlesnake venom and a taste for other snakes.

Core Biological & Field Specifications
Warm side
29–31°C (85–88°F)
Cool side
22–25°C
Humidity
40–50%
UVB
optional
Enclosure min
36×18×18 in
CRITICAL
always house singly — they eat snakes

Profile & Natural History

Kingsnakes are the hardiest snakes in the hobby with one iron rule: they cannibalize. Never co-house, ever — "they've been fine for months" is the story every keeper tells right up until it isn't. Care otherwise is corn-snake-simple: gradient, hides, mice, decades. The desert morphs (cal-kings) banded black-white; the coastal varieties patterned differently — care identical.

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