The beautiful black glossy body of the Mexican Black Kingsnake is an eye-catching sight to behold. These beautiful snakes form the Eastern subspecies of the California Kingsnake, and they make wonderful pets, as they’re easy to care for.
Mexican Black Kingsnakes grow to be between 3’ – 5’ (0.91 – 1.52 m) long, with adults ranging from 2 – 4 lbs (0.9 – 1.81 kg). They have a uniform black color that occasionally appears to have a bluish sheen. The juveniles typically have a yellow collar at the base of their neck.
You should know all the facts about the Mexican Black Kingsnake before deciding to bring one home as a pet. In this guide, you’ll get all the information you need to care for one of these beautiful creatures.
General Information
The Mexican Black Kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula nigrita) is a subspecies of the California Kingsnake, which is native to Mexico and parts of North America. They’re primarily found in tropical dry forests, rocky areas, and agricultural fields.
They’re from the family Colubridae which is composed of non-venomous snakes, while their name comes from their bodies being usually black in color, although they can sometimes have a bluish sheen.
“Lampropeltis” is Greek for “shiny shield,” which references their glossy black bodies.
Appearance & Morphs
These snakes are distinct for their striking appearance. The common Mexican Black Kingsnake is known for its glossy black or brown scales, even in its underbellies, but they lack patterning.
Juveniles typically have a yellow collar at the base of their neck, but this color fades as they age. Their coloration gives them great camouflage for living in rocky areas and agricultural fields.
In good lighting, the black gloss becomes a gorgeous sheen of blue. They’re different morphs of the Mexican Black Kingsnake with different appearances, and can be striped, spotted, splotches, or different colors.
Their bodies are stocky and plump, with a neck that isn’t particularly distinct.
Size & Lifespan
Mexican Black Kingsnakes can be between 3’ – 5’ (0.91 – 1.52 m) long and typically weigh between 2 – 4 lbs (0.9 – 1.81 kg), but the average adult size is about 4’ (1.22 m). However, there have been reports of some reaching up to 6’ (1.83 m) in length.
They’re relatively long-lived, with an average lifespan of around 20 years, but they can live up to 25 years in captivity with proper care and nutrition. They have fewer predators in captivity, and their living conditions are much more stable.
Care
Mexican Black Kingsnakes are relatively easy to care for and make wonderful pets, but they require a specific environment to thrive, so you’ll want to create a habitat that meets their needs.
You should understand their natural behavior and habitat before you bring one home as a pet, as the temperature, humidity level, and size of their enclosure should all be considered.
How To Pick Up
Mexican Black Kingsnakes can be docile and fairly easy to handle, but they can also be flighty. You should handle them frequently from a young age so that they become accustomed to human interactions.
If you don’t handle them regularly, they may become defensive and have an anxious temperament. The safest way to pick them up is by gently scooping them up from the center of their bodies and holding them firmly, but not too tightly.
Never grab them by their tail or head, and carefully pick them up and move them slowly.
Shedding
Mexican Black Kingsnakes will shed their skin as they grow, which is a normal part of their development and should not cause alarm. You may notice that the snake’s skin looks dull before shedding, and it will often have a bluish color to its eyes.
The change of color in the eyes is caused by the secretion of fluids that help them to shed, which can take up to a week and should be monitored closely. You may need to mist the enclosure or place a damp towel to help them shed.
Every time a young Mexican Black Kingsnake sheds, the yellow chin collar they have when they are born fades slowly until it is gone. They get the all-black coloration when they reach adulthood.
Hibernation
Mexican Black Kingsnakes don’t hibernate in the traditional sense. However, they go into a period of dormancy during the colder months, known as brumation.
Brumation and hibernation are similar in that the snakes become less active and will not eat as much. During this period, they may refuse food and become sluggish. You should keep their enclosure warm during this time, as cold temperatures can be dangerous for the snake. You should also provide them with a hide box that they can retreat to if they need to warm up.
This period of dormancy should last around three months. The temperatures should remain low during this time, but make sure that they don’t drop too low (45-55°F or 7.22-12.77°C).
Housing
Mexican Black Kingsnakes need an appropriate enclosure for their size and activity level. A 3’ or 4’ vivarium (0.91 – 1.21 m) is suitable for housing a single adult snake. Babies should be kept in smaller enclosures, such as a 10-gallon (37.85 L) tank until they’re large enough to move into a larger enclosure.
The enclosure should provide adequate heat, humidity, and ventilation, but you shouldn’t house two kingsnakes together, as this can cause stress and aggression.
Enclosure
A 48” (121.92 cm) long by 12” (30.48 cm) wide and 16” (40.64 cm) high enclosure is suitable for an adult Mexican Black Kingsnake. The sides should have mesh grills, and the substrate can be aspen or newspaper.
These snakes are terrestrial, so they don’t need aquatic features in the enclosure. You should also provide hides and climbing accessories, as these snakes like to burrow and explore.
Heating
The enclosure’s temperature should remain between 85 – 90°F (29.44 – 32.22°C) during daylight hours and drop to 75 – 80°F at night (23.88 – 26.66°C). You can use a basking lamp or a heat mat attached to one side of the enclosure.
A thermostat should be used to regulate the temperature, as the snakes can overheat if it gets too hot. The enclosure should also have a cool and warm side so that the snakes can thermoregulate themselves if needed.
Lighting
Mexican Black Kingsnakes come from hot and humid climates, requiring a fair amount of light. You can provide natural sunlight or artificial UVB bulbs, but monitor the temperature closely, as these bulbs can raise it very quickly.
The enclosure should also have a 12-hour light/dark cycle to mimic the natural day/night cycle they would have in the wild.
Humidity
A humidity level between 40-60% is ideal for this species. You can use the hygrometer to measure humidity and raise it by misting the enclosure or providing water bowls. A little fluctuation in the moisture may not harm the snake, but too much humidity can cause problems such as fungal infections.
Diet
They’re opportunistic feeders in the wild, but they’re mainly carnivorous with great hunting skills and are known to ambush prey. They also eat other venomous snakes, such as rattlesnakes, which is a trait that sets them apart from other snake species.
These snakes can eat something bigger than their size because of their expanding jaw. In captivity, Mexican Black Kingsnakes eat a variety of frozen/thawed rodents and birds.
An adult snake should be fed every 10-14 days. You may need to feed the younger ones frequently, as their stomachs are smaller, and they need more energy to grow. Tubs of live prey, such as crickets and mealworms, should also be provided, but you should monitor the enclosure when feeding them.
Water
You’ll need to provide a clean and accessible water source for your Mexican Black Kingsnake. Remember that these snakes are not fond of drinking from standing water, so you’ll want to provide a shallow bowl or container with fresh water and change it frequently.
The bowl should be big enough for the snake to drink from but shallow enough to easily get out of it.
You may also want to mist your Mexican Black Kingsnake’s enclosure a few times a week to provide them with additional water sources.
Health Issues
Mexican Black Kingsnakes are generally very healthy animals but can suffer from common snake ailments. Although a good diet, proper housing, and regular check-ups can help keep your Mexican Black Kingsnake healthy, you should be familiar with the common health issues they may face, which include the following:
- Mites
- Respiratory infections
- Mouth rot
- Autocannibalism
- Intestinal parasites
Monitor your snake for signs of stress, which can manifest as lethargy, poor appetite, mouth breathing, and inactivity. If your snake exhibits any of these symptoms, it’s best to consult a reptile vet.
Behavior & Temperament
Mexican Black Kingsnakes are generally calm and docile snakes. They’re solitary animals and shouldn’t be housed together, as this can cause stress and aggression. They’re diurnal, meaning they’re more active during the day and usually spend most of their time hunting for food.
They may become defensive when handled if they feel threatened and bite if they need to defend themselves. These snakes are cannibalistic, and in case of a fight, the weaker one might get eaten by the stronger one.
Handling Them
Mexican Black Kingsnakes should be handled a lot, especially young ones, as this helps them get used to people, and it’s a good way to bond with your pet. Always wear gloves when handling them, and wash your hands before and after.
Be slow and gentle when introducing a new snake into its enclosure or moving it from one place to another.
- Place your hand in the enclosure and keep it there for a few seconds so that the snake can get used to your presence.
- Then, carefully scoop it up and place it in its new home.
- Don’t over-handle them, as this can cause stress, so keep handling sessions for a few minutes a day.
Can You Train Them?
You can’t train Mexican Black Kingsnakes, as they aren’t social animals. However, you can gently handle them and get them used to being handled, as this will make them more used to you and help reduce their stress levels.
How Much Do They Cost?
They typically cost between $200-$250, but the price can vary depending on the age, size, and where you get them. Captive-bred snakes are usually more expensive than wild-caught snakes.
Are They Poisonous?
Mexican Black Kingsnakes are non-venomous and don’t carry any type of poison. They may bite if they need to defend themselves, but it’s not toxic and usually only hurts for a few minutes.
Final Thoughts
Mexican Black Kingsnakes are beautiful and docile snakes that make great pets and require a clean enclosure, a proper diet, and regular handling to stay healthy and happy. They are solitary animals and should not be housed together, as this can lead to aggression.
