Mexican Black Kingsnake 30cm

Mexican Black Kingsnake – these snakes are normally very docile and do well in captivity making them good pets. Since they are quite easy to care for, Mexican black kingsnakes have become a popular pet snake, particularly suitable for novice collectors.  They can live 15 to 25 years in captivity and reach 1.8 meters in length.  They will grow to almost 1.2 meters after 3 years of growth.

Black Kingsnakes get their name because of their black and deep brown coloration. Despite their name, they have a shimmering enamel that gives them a beautiful blue iridescence in daylight. They are a nonvenomous snake native to North America and are frequently found throughout the Sonoran Desert, north-western Sinaloa, Mexico, and Arizona.

Behaviour

Mexican Black Kingsnakes spend most of their day hunting for prey.  When they catch it they bite down hard and constrict around it. As they are not venomous they rely entirely on their strength to capture prey.  As pets are very active and exploratory during the day. In the evening they will often bask and then find a secure hiding place for the night.

They are solitary animals that only interact to mate. An angry snake will musk a foul smelling combination of feces and oils all over you. However, they must be handled frequently at a young age. Abd without regular handling they may develop an anxious temperament and are more likely to act defensively (e.g. hiss, rattle their tails and strike).  Young snakes can be flighty or mildly defensive but with age and frequent handling they usually grow out of it.

In the winter this species will usually find deep holes to burrow in. During this time their metabolism will decrease allowing them to live for four months without feeding.

If they meet another animal in the wild and feel threatened they will hiss, rattle their tails, flatten their heads, coil up, make jerky movements and even strike.

You can try gently picking it up with one hand or scooping with both hands. Either method is typically stress-free.  To prevent infection from any zoonotic diseases (e.g. salmonella) always wash your hands after handling.

Hatchlings are born 15 to 20 cm in length. They grow steadily and will double in size each year until they reach their full size.

Cage Conditions

Mexican Black Kingsnakes are primarily terrestrial so tend to stay on or near the ground. Despite their terrestrial lifestyle, these snakes are capable climbers and swimmers so do not be surprised if you see a wild one climbing after a bird nest.  They can be found in both rocky desert areas and regions of vegetation within their range.  To avoid the heat they often use shrubs or rodent burrows to hide.

In the wild Mexican Black Kingsnakes are comfortable near humans so can be found in rural and suburban yards. In developed areas they may be found hiding under wood, tin, or any other debris.

To replicate their wild habitat you should provide natural décor. This will help to give your snake enrichment and allow for normal behaviors such as exploring, climbing and swimming.  Offering plenty of basking and hiding areas is also a good idea.

It is important to choose the right type of material for your enclosure. Screen-top enclosures do not hold humidity well and plastic tubs get too hot. Glass or ventilated plastic enclosures work best:

• Tank Type: glass.
• Tank Size: 150 litres.
• Lighting: basking required.
• Substrate: sand soil mixture.
• Babies should be kept in at least 60 litre enclosures.

If their tank is too small they will rub their nose on the glass. This is common when the snake is in a small enclosure.   Longer tanks with more floor space are better as this species is primarily terrestrial.

Because Mexican Black Kingsnakes are found in both desert and vegetative environments multiple substrates can be used. Coconut fiber and soil are okay to use but when used in plastic enclosures they may increase the humidity too much.  A sand and soil substrate mix works best. It will stay loose enough to burrow in and remains moist to control humidity.

Avoid using pine and cedar shavings because they produce irritating dust particles that can cause eye and respiratory issues in snakes that like to burrow.

Tank Temperature, Heat Gradient and Humidity
At night the entire tank should drop to an ambient temperature of 25°C. A low wattage ceramic heat emitter will help to maintain 25°C. Snakes thermoregulate by moving between warm and cool areas. For this reason, it is important their tank has a temperature gradient:

• The hot side of the enclosure should be 30 – 33°C over a basking surface. This can be achieved using a 75 watt basking bulb over a rock or flat piece of wood in one corner of the tank.
• The ambient temperature should remain 24 – 27°C.
  Mexican Black Kingsnake are desert snakes that fare well in moderate humidity (between 40 – 60%) and high temperatures. A tank that is too wet or humid can breed mold and bacteria. This can turn into respiratory issues or scale rot.

You should spot-clean your tank daily to remove feces and any shed.

Every four weeks you should perform a deep clean by changing your snake’s substrate and sanitizing all décor.

Feeding

This snake is known for its huge appetite and skilled hunting abilities.  In the wild these opportunistic hunters will eat:

• Birds
• Eggs
• Lizards
• Rodents
• Toads

Interestingly, they will also eat other snakes. This is because they are immune to pit viper venom so are able to kill and eat rattlesnakes and other venomous snakes.

They are a type of constrictor so are very strong and can subdue snakes as large as they are.  This species is capable of eating prey much larger than themselves due to its expanding jaw. However, pet snakes should be fed prey roughly the same diameter as the thickest part of their body.

In captivity they thrive on a diet of frozen thawed mice. Frozen thawed rodents are recommended because live prey will fight and can give serious scratches that can lead to an infection. You should thaw their prey just as you would any raw meat. If you forget and are rushed for time, you can also place the bagged rodent in a bowl of warm water (not boiling) to slowly bring the temperature to 37°C.

• Babies should be fed every five days.
• After one year of age feeding should be reduced to every 7 – 10 days.
• Adults should be fed every 10 – 14 days and not during shed.

If your pet refuses the rodent then remove it after two hours and place it in the trash can. Do not re-freeze.

Diet enrichment is always a good idea so you can try feeding the occasional frozen thawed chick.

Care

Snakes can develop health problems or illnesses. However, with the proper husbandry and diet many can be avoided:

• Anorexia or auto cannibalism
• Intestinal parasites
• Mouth rot
• Mites
• Respiratory infections

Issues like mouth rot, intestinal parasites and respiratory issues are diagnosed and treated by veterinarians because they normally require antibiotics or medicated soaks. Your snake’s behavior is the only diagnosis you will need for mites. They will shed frequently but rarely produce a full shed. In severe cases they may soak for extended periods of time.

Anorexia or auto cannibalism are behavioral problems often seen in stressed snakes.

Mexican Black Kingsnakes will attempt to eat themselves due to husbandry issues or infrequent feeding.