King snake. How much does a king snake cost? Types of king snakes
The California king snake has a Latin name - Lampropeltis zonata.
Distribution of the California kingsnake.
The California kingsnake is found in south-central Washington and adjacent northern Oregon, southwestern Oregon, south along the coastal and inland mountains of California, northern Baja California, and Mexico.
California kingsnake - Lampropeltis zonata
Habitats of the California king snake.
The California king snake lives in a wide variety of habitats. It is most commonly found in wet coniferous forests, oak forests, chaparral thickets, or coastal areas. This species of snake is found within riparian areas with ample amounts of rocks and rotting logs and basks in the sun on the south-facing, rocky slopes of river canyons. The California kingsnake is found from sea level to 3000 meters.
External signs of the California king snake.
The California kingsnake can have a body length of 122.5 cm, although most individuals are 100 cm long. There are 21 to 23 dorsal scutes running down the center of the body, they are smooth. On the ventral side there are 194 - 227 ventral scutes, from 45 to 62 subcaudal scutes, and an undivided anal scute. There are 11 - 13 teeth on the jaws.
Males and females are difficult to distinguish by external features. The California kingsnake has a slender, cylindrical body with black, white (sometimes yellow) and red stripes that are always bordered by black stripes on either side. Black and red stripes are also found on the white belly, dotted with black marks.
The dorsal side of the head is black, and the chin and throat are white. The first stripe after the dark head is white.
There are seven described subspecies, five of which are found north of Mexico. The variation in the pattern is expressed in a change in the red stripes of the ribbon, which in some individuals are interrupted and form a wedge-shaped spot; in other snakes the red coloring of the stripes is not pronounced or even completely absent (especially in snakes in the Sierra Nevada). Other forms of geographic variation involve changes in the width of the black stripes.
Due to the extreme variability of the California kingsnake, the described subspecies are difficult to distinguish from each other and are best identified by their habitat.
Reproduction of the California king snake.
In the wild, male California kingsnakes find females by following pheromone trails. This species of snake breeds from April to early June, usually shortly after the emergence of herbaceous vegetation in the spring, although mating can occur as early as March. Females lay eggs every second year from late May to July. The average clutch contains about 7 eggs, but 10 are possible.
The eggs are white, elongated, measure 42.2 x 17.2 mm and weigh about 6.6 g.
Depending on the incubation temperature, development lasts 62 days at temperatures ranging from 23 to 29 degrees Celsius. Juvenile snakes have a body length of 20.0 to 27.2 cm and weigh from 5.7 to 7.7 grams. They are also brightly colored, like adults. Males breed when they grow to 50.7 cm, centimeters, and females reach maturity at 54.7 centimeters in length. In captivity, the California kingsnake lives up to 26 years.
Behavior of the California kingsnake.
Snakes are active from late March to early November. In winter, they go deep into rock crevices or hide in mammal burrows, in a state close to suspended animation, although some individuals crawl out to bask on warm stones if the winter is mild.
In spring and autumn it is active during the day; in summer, the California kingsnake hunts at dusk or even at night to avoid exposure to high temperatures during the day.
This type of snake is a good climber; they are able to climb even into hollows to a height of more than 1.5 meters from the surface of the earth. When confronted with an enemy, California king snakes tend to crawl away; if this is not possible, the snakes violently twist their whole body to defend themselves and excrete feces, then inflict rather deep lacerations with their teeth. They search for prey using sight, hearing, and also feel vibrations in the soil.
Nutrition of the California king snake.
The California kingsnake is an active hunter, using sight and smell to find its prey. Small and helpless prey is swallowed immediately, but large, resisting prey is swallowed for quite a long time. It feeds on lizards, skinks, eats flycatcher and thrush chicks, swallows eggs, small snakes, small mammals, and amphibians.
The bright coloration of the California kingsnake helps in hunting, making it more visible to small predatory species that do not attack the snake, mistaking it for a venomous species. Birds often attack a snake crawling towards a nest, but such defensive actions only intensify the search for bird eggs and chicks.
Ecosystem role.
The California king snake is the primary predator species in its ecosystem and regulates rodent populations.
Meaning for a person.
The California king snake is often kept as a pet; the main positive qualities of this type of snake are its attractive coloration and lack of venom. In addition, the California king snake is bred in zoos and attracts visitors with its bright skin color. Breeding this species of snake in captivity reduces the capture of individuals in the wild, which significantly increases the chances of survival of the species.
The California king snake does not cause any harm to people; in case of danger, it tries to escape and attacks only when absolutely necessary. Despite its bright warning coloration, the California kingsnake simply mimics the venomous appearance of snakes, its coloration resembling the pattern of a coral adder.
Conservation status.
The California kingsnake is listed as a species of special concern on the California Snake Species List, and some populations are protected. The IUCN Red List ranks the California kingsnake as a species of Least Concern.
Habitat destruction associated with urbanization and mining are the most common threats to this species, and the reptile is a traded species. Some habitats of the California kingsnake lack measures to prevent the illegal taking of snakes. These snakes breed in captivity and produce offspring, which may be why they have avoided further decline in numbers in the wild.
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There are all sorts of animals you can see in apartments and houses these days. Moreover, recently exotic pets have become increasingly popular, among which the king snake clearly stands out for its spectacular appearance. Let's get acquainted with the main varieties of this reptile and the rules for keeping it at home.
What is a king snake?
These reptiles combine 14 species, belong to the genus of non-venomous snakes of the Colubrid family and live in their natural environment on the American continent. Their size varies from 0.5 to 2 meters and depends on the species.
King snakes have distinctive colors, usually consisting of a large number of rings of different colors. The most common colors are red, black and white.
The king snake earned its name because in its natural environment it likes to hunt other snakes, including poisonous ones. She owes this ability to her immunity to the poisons of her fellow tribesmen.
Main types
Let's look at several main types of these snakes.
California king snake
What it looks like. Slender and muscular body 0.6–1 m long. There are red spots on the slightly elongated head with a blunt muzzle. The body is decorated with a pattern in the form of alternating rings - black and white. Most often, the black rings are divided into two parts by a red stripe, which sometimes closes on the stomach. Some subspecies do not have a red tint in color. The upper part of the head is black with a light transverse stripe or lateral spots.
Where he lives. Distributed from the north of the California Peninsula (Mexico) to the southern part of Oregon (USA), including all of California. A separate group is observed in the south of the American state of Washington. Prefers mountainous terrain.
What does it eat? Rodents, lizards, snakes, birds, eggs.
Did you know? According to the Guinness Book of Records, the world's largest reptile - an 18-year-old python named Fluffy - lives in the Ohio State Zoo (USA). This record holder is more than 7 meters long and weighs as much as 136 kg!
What it looks like. The length reaches 1.3 meters. The coloration is reminiscent of poisonous coral adders and is a combination of rich shades of red, black and white.
Where he lives. North America (from Colombia to Canada).
What does it eat? Small lizards, various amphibians and large insects.
Common kingsnake
What it looks like. The average length is 1–1.4 m, the maximum reaches 2 m. A triangular head is located on the slender body. It is painted brown or black with light transverse stripes in the form of an elongated chain. The abdomen is dark in color with a pattern of several light stripes.
Where he lives. Starting from southern New Jersey to northern Florida (USA). Prefers to settle in deciduous and coniferous plantations, meadows, and swampy areas.
What does it eat? Small lizards, snakes.
Mexican black
What it looks like. The average length is 0.9–1 m, but can reach up to 2 m. The slightly elongated head is flattened on both sides. The muscular gray or brown body is decorated with irregular patches of red or black and red with a light border. The head is marked with a dark pattern resembling the letter "U". Gray belly, sometimes red coloring at the bottom of the tail.
Where he lives. Northwestern Mexico and the US state of Texas. Likes to settle in dry rocky places.
What does it eat? Small lizards, rodents and snakes.
What it looks like. The length ranges from 50 to 100 cm. Slender body with a compact and slightly rounded head. The top of the head is almost black, the tip of the nose is light, and there are red areas above the eye sockets. The body is covered with a pattern of red, black and light stripes. The back is black, on the stomach there is a pattern in the form of uneven areas of red, black and yellow.
Where he lives. Central and southeastern Arizona (USA), through northern Mexico to Chihuahua and Sonora. More often it lives in the mountains, among coniferous plantations, and loves rocky soil.
What does it eat? Lizards and rodents.
Important! The king snake quickly gets used to its owner, becomes almost tame and does not show any aggression. At the same time, you should accustom your pet to handling hands gradually, starting with 5-10 minutes of communication a day.
Campbell's king milk snake
What it looks like. The length reaches 0.9 m. The color looks like alternating red, black and white stripes. The head is dark, the first light stripe extends to the temple and sometimes reaches almost to the tip of the muzzle. The dark stripes are much thinner than the red and white ones; in some representatives of the species the red color is almost absent.
Where he lives. Mexico. Settles in mountain valleys, forests, and floodplains.
What does it eat? Small rodents, lizards, snakes.
What it looks like. The average length is 0.8–0.9 m, the maximum length is 1.5 m. A strong muscular body is crowned with a pointed head. Its shade is black, steel or gray. The snake's coloration is a dark gray background with wide, saddle-shaped orange areas.
Where he lives. Southern territories of Texas and New Mexico (USA), Mexican province of Chihuahua. Settles in rocks and forests.
What does it eat? Lizards, mice, amphibians.
Beautiful king snake
What it looks like. The length reaches 0.75–1 m. The strong body ends with a slightly elongated head, flattened on both sides. Background color - from fawn to brown. The pattern is red or brown rectangular spots located across the body. The abdomen has a beige or yellowish tint with dark areas. There are specimens of red and pink color without dark colors.
Where he lives. Central and southeastern United States from Texas to Florida and North Carolina. Settles in prairies, open forests, and forest clearings.
What does it eat? Rodents, frogs, birds, snakes.
Did you know? Despite its small head measuring only 1 centimeter, the African snake can swallow an egg 5-6 times larger. This is helped by the special structure of the snake’s lower jaw, which can diverge to accommodate large prey. As soon as the egg is inside, special vertebrae open the shell, and the reptile regurgitates its pieces out.
Small and medium-sized reptiles are better suited for a home terrarium, since they are less demanding and easier to get used to different conditions. Before purchasing a snake, you need to buy a set of equipment for its maintenance.
Terrarium
When choosing a home for your pet, you should focus on the maximum size to which a certain type of king snake can grow. And keep in mind that at home, reptiles are usually somewhat larger than their wild relatives.
The terrarium should be such as not to restrict the snake’s movements and allow it to maintain its physical activity. The minimum housing parameters for an adult king snake are usually 80x55x55 cm.
A hygrometer and thermometer should be placed in your pet’s home to monitor the microclimate.
It should be within the following limits:
- daytime temperature - +25...+32 °C;
- night temperature - +20...+25 °C;
- air humidity - 50–60%.
It is also necessary to organize artificial lighting with dim fluorescent lamps. The terrarium can be heated using several incandescent lamps, but a thermal mat placed in one of the corners of the home is more suitable for this purpose. You also need to provide a special container for bathing your pet.
This pool, as well as daily spraying of the walls, will help maintain the required humidity in the terrarium.
The bottom of the dwelling is covered with a special artificial mat and filled with coconut soil or coarse sand. Not the most suitable option, but possible as a temporary replacement, may be to use blank paper.
Snakes are very fond of different shelters, so small grottoes should be built in the terrarium, branches, snags and large pieces of tree bark should be placed. These items will also allow you to decorate your pet’s home in an original way.
Important! If good conditions are created for a king snake, its average lifespan in a home terrarium will be about ten years. But some specimens can live 15 years or even longer.
Feeding
The frequency of feeding reptiles depends on their age. Young pets, whose bodies are still actively growing and developing, are fed once a week. Their diet includes newborn mice and runner mice.
Adults no longer require such frequent feeding; 2–3 times a month is sufficient. They are given adult gerbil mice, dwarf hamsters and other small rodents.
At the same time, there must always be fresh water in the terrarium. About once a month, you can add vitamin complexes for reptiles to the water, after reading their instructions.
During feeding, a young snake, not yet accustomed to its owner, may show aggression and try to bite, but over time this goes away. You should also know that after feeding for 3-4 days you should not pick up your pet.
Home cleaning
Usually, 2-3 days after feeding, the snake leaves feces, which must be removed immediately to prevent the growth of pathogenic bacteria in it.
In addition, to ensure cleanliness in the terrarium, general cleaning should be done 1-2 times a month, during which the bedding or soil should be completely changed or cleaned, and equipment and decorative items should be cleaned and disinfected.
Step-by-step instructions for cleaning the terrarium:
- Move the snake to a separate, clean terrarium.
- Wash all decorative items, food and water containers with hot soapy water, and then rinse well with clean running water.
- Remove the disposable substrate from the terrarium. Clean reusable with hot soapy water and rinse thoroughly.
- Wash the floor and walls of the home and rinse well.
- Dry the terrarium and all accessories well to avoid mold.
- Assemble the terrarium and install decorative items.
So now you know that keeping a king snake is not the most difficult task. Caring for it does not take much time, and the pleasure of observing this bright miracle of nature is enormous!
Royal or milk snakes (lat. Lampropeltis triangulum). These bright striped beauties came to us from the Americas, where they live in the territory from Venezuela and Ecuador to southern Canada.
In the wild, only poisonous and dangerous predators, as well as their imitators, can boast of this coloration. So, milk snakes are just one of the latter. They pose no danger to people or animals and are suitable even for beginner terrarium keepers. They can be compared to our snakes, which have a colorful outfit.
Rich red, white and black colors make them stand out and very attractive. One zoo can have several species of milk snakes, and none of them will be repeated.
Although in the wild the diet of striated snakes usually includes lizards, various rodents, eggs of relatives and even smaller snakes, in captivity they readily feed on ordinary mice. Since they hunt at night, immediately after landing the food animal you need to turn off the lights. Milk snakes swallow small animals alive; larger animals are fixed with vinegar and strangled.
For a comfortable stay, it is advisable to provide them with good ventilation and a small shelter. Tree branches and cute driftwood are suitable for decoration, and dry shavings, gravel or crushed bark can be laid on the floor.
Non-thorny cacti and artificial succulent plants look very impressive in terrariums. You can show your imagination and reproduce a piece of prairie for your domestic reptile. The only peculiarity is the separate keeping of individuals of the same species, since king snakes are prone to cannibalism.
The terrarium does not have to be large: a sufficient volume is 0.3 square meters. m. The optimal humidity for milk snakes is 75%, the air temperature is 25-35 degrees during daylight hours and 22 degrees at night. It is also advisable to provide the snake with the opportunity to swim in a spacious bathing suit, which is best placed in a dark place.
Interestingly, they got their name “dairy” supposedly because of their love for milk. Of course, if you pour milk instead of water into a snake’s drinking bowl, sooner or later it will drink it, but it won’t get much pleasure. More likely, indigestion will develop. It’s just that a long time ago local residents, noticing poor milk yield from cows, blamed these snakes for everything, believing that they sucked milk at night. How the minke whales could do this without lips was of no concern to anyone, because they had to find the culprits.
Milk snakes are relatively small, their body length rarely exceeds 1.5 meters. In the wild, they become sexually mature at 2 years old, but in captivity the period of maturation extends to three years. They become active in the late afternoon and hide in shelters during daylight hours.
Pregnancy in striated snakes lasts from 50 to 70 days, and a clutch usually contains from 4 to 9 eggs. Hatched snakes, 25-27 cm long, grow quickly on food from newborn mice and by the age of seven months they become 2 times larger. Already in one year, the body length of milk snakes reaches one meter. They live on average 10-15 years.