Range: Mountanous areas surrounding Chihuahua Desert, and in Tamaulipas, San Luis Potosi, Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, Guanajuato, Zacatecas and Durango, Mexico

Size: 24-32 inches, maximum 36 inches

Lifespan: 11years (?)

Active: nocturnal

Habitat: dry areas but not true desert, dry pine-oak forest

Captive Care: 20 gal aquarium, undertank heating; newsprint, dried pine or aspen, Care Fresh or Lizard Litter; water bowl; shelter
Ophiophagus (snake eating) -> house separately!

Temp.: juveniles, 80-90F
adults: gradient of 65F (18C) to 88F (31C)

Foods: in nature: lizards
in captivity: mice -> pinky, fuzzy, neonates may require lizards
feed medium meal every 4-6 days

Temperament: calm; can be problem feeders

Breeding: brumation: 3 months, 55F (but like weak basking light)
breeding to egg laying: 24 to 46 days
clutch size: 5 to 19, average 12 (high rate of infertility)
incubation: 54 to 82 days

References:
Markel, Ronald (1990) King Snakes and Milksnakes. T.F.H. publications, Inc., Neptune City, NJ. 144pp.
Markel, Ronald (1997) King Snakes and Milksnakes from alterna to zonata. Reptiles USA Annual pp. 107-119.
Markel, Ronald and Bartlett, R. D. (1995) King Snakes and Milksnakes. Barron’s Educational Series, Inc. Hauppauge, NY. 94pp.
Walls, J.G. (1996) Grey-banded Kingsnakes, Identification, Care and Breeding. T.F.H. publications, Inc., Neptune City, NJ. 64pp.