Range: Jalisco, Queretero and Michocan, Mexico

Size: 30-32 inches average, record 40 inches

Age: 15 years

Active: nocturnal

Habitat: dry, rocky woodlands at relatively high altitudes

Captive Care: 20 gal aquarium, undertank heating; newsprint, paper towels, 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: rodents, birds, lizards, frogs, snakes
in captivity: mice -> pinky, fuzzy (adults are too large), 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)
eggs laid: ~ 1 month after mating, ~5-10 eggs, 75% hatch rate
egg incubation: 82-85F to 70 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.
Walls, J.G. (1996) Grey-banded Kingsnakes, Identification, Care and Breeding. T.F.H. publications, Inc., Neptune City, NJ. 64pp.