The snake pictured is the EXACT animal for sale!

Defining Characteristics:

• Ophiophagous animals (snake eaters)
• Solid black bodies
• Docile

Name: Lampropeltis getula nigrita, or the Mexican black Kingsnake, has a typical kingsnake appearance: oval head, round pupils, slender body, and smooth, glossy scales. However, what sets them apart is their jet-black coloration, with little to no pattern.The word Lampropeltis is derived from Greek and roughly translates to “shiny shield,” in reference to the kingsnakes’ head. 

Recommended Enclosure Size & Setup: Mexican black kingsnakes are active snakes that appreciate having plenty of room to stretch out, climb, and explore, and they quickly get bored in small or sparse enclosures. The minimum enclosure size recommended for housing one Mexican black kingsnake is 4’x2’x2’ or larger!

For baby Mexican black kingsnakes who are quite small and adept at escaping from their enclosures, it’s a good idea to start them off in a temporary, escape-resistant front-opening glass 36x18x18 inch enclosure to make it easier to keep track of them and reduce the risk of escape. Your pet will be able to comfortably live in this space until they reach approximately 36 inches long.

A loamy, sandy substrate will be appreciated by these snakes. A mixture of about 80% ABG Mix and 20% sand (such as Exo Terra Desert Sand) works well to closely mimic their natural habitat.

It's important to remember that because kingsnakes are generally known to be snake-eaters, multiple kingsnakes should not be housed in the same enclosure.

Temperature (°F): A Mexican black kingsnake’s basking area should be between 85-90°, and the cool side should be between 70-80°F. Create the basking area by placing a platform or sturdy branch below the lamps.

We recommend using a heat bulb like the 75W Arcadia GoldenSun Halogen Basking Heater in a small dome heat lamp on a timer for 8 hours a day. 

Humidity: Mexican black kingsnakes are a semi-arid species, so tracking humidity for them isn’t as important as it is for other kingsnakes. However, although they can survive dry conditions, they still need access to humid microclimates in order to stay hydrated, keep their lungs healthy, and shed their skin properly. To be specific, they should have access to a humid hide at all times. This hide should be placed on the cool half of the enclosure and lined with moistened sphagnum moss or substrate.

Size: Adults reach 3-4.5 feet on average, with hatchlings starting at 9-12 inches.

Age: The typical lifespan for a Mexican black kingsnake in captivity is 15 to 20 years. These snakes are at least a month old at the time of sale.

Feeding: Mexican black Kingsnakes are obligate carnivores, which means that they must eat whole animals in order to get the nutrition they need!

• Hatchlings should be fed once every 5-7 days.
• Juveniles should be fed once every 7-10 days.
• Adults should be fed once every 10-14 days

 Variety is essential to complete nutrition—most keepers will offer mice and rats, and you can add variety to your snake’s diet with hamsters, gerbils, anoles, house geckos, and Reptilinks. However, do not offer live prey if it can be avoided—this way you can minimize the risk of your pet getting injured. Frozen feeders should be completely thawed to 75-100°F before offering.

Sexing: Males typically have longer, thicker tails while females have shorter, thinner ones.

Color/Pattern: These snakes have jet black bodies during all stages of life.

Social Behavior: Mexican black kingsnakes are nocturnal snakes that are native to southern Arizona and northwestern Mexico. Their native habitat tends to be a fairly arid environment with sandy loamy soil. They spend most of their time terrestrially, but don’t be fooled they are also excellent climbers!

Breeding: The breeding season for Mexican black kingsnakes is typically in the spring, from about March to June.To facilitate breeding, captive snakes must undergo a winter brumation (cooling) period, after which females are fed heavily to stimulate ovulation. Mating occurs in the spring, followed by the female laying a clutch of eggs about 4 to 6 weeks later. Clutch sizes typically range from 6-15 eggs.

Incubation takes about 50-70 days, kept in a moist container of 50-60% humidity at temperatures of 70-80°F. 

Natural Range: Southern Arizona to Northwestern Mexico, found commonly in arid regions with sandy/loamy soil and plenty of shrubbery nearby. 

History in the Hobby: Mexican black kingsnakes have become some of the most popular pet kingsnakes in the US due to their distinctive appearance, and generally make good pets like most kingsnakes. Expect your pet to live 20+ years with good care!

Links of Interest: 

• Kingsnake Care Sheet | ReptiFiles
• Reptiles & Research: Mexican Black Kingsnake Care Guide
• The BioDude: Mexican Black Kingsnake Care Sheet (Lampropeltis getula nigrita)