Care Sheet - Florida King snake (Lampropeltis getula

floridana)

Florida King snake (Lampropeltis getula floridana)

Common Name: Florida King snake
Scientific Name: Lampropeltis getula floridana
Distribution: Florida, U.S.A.
Size: 4 - 5
Natural habitat:
Inhabits tropical and semi-tropical grassland areas near ponds and swampy
regions of Florida.
Behaviour:
Most will become tame with regular handling. Provide some dark hiding places
when keeping this species in captivity.
Longevity: Oldest recorded age was 21 years.
Captive environment:
Provide a basking area with access to a cooler area. Provide several climbing
areas on branches, logs, & plants.
Temperature:
Day temperature should have a gradient from 75 to 85F. Maintain night
temperature range between 72-78F. Use a heat mat on a thermostat or an AHS
heating system 24-hour heat.
Humidity:
This species requires moderate levels of humidity.
Water requirements:
Provide a large fairly deep bowl for drinking and soaking.

Food/Feeding:
This species is a carnivore (meat eater) so feed the appropriate sized rodents
(mice, small rats) nothing that is more than 1 times the snakes widest girth.
Enjoys feeding on small lizards and snakes as well as amphibians and birds. As
with most milk and king snakes I find they do better on slightly smaller food items
as they do not have as great a gape in the mouth as other snakes.
John Gamesby