Snakes
Gray-banded kingsnake care guide
Lampropeltis alterna
A small, shy desert kingsnake from rocky Texas/Mexico habitat. Hatchlings often start on lizards before switching to pinkies.
Terrestrial — floor space first
New to reptiles? Check your keeper level first →Gray-banded kingsnake enclosure size
Terrestrial — floor space first. An adult gray-banded kingsnake should live in at least 30" L × 12" W × 12" H; we build toward 36" L × 18" W × 18" H (3 × 1.5 × 1.5 ft, roughly 4.5 sq ft of floor and about a 50-gallon glass equivalent).
- Hatchling / baby
- 12" L × 12" W × 12" H recommended · min 12" L × 12" W × 12" H
- Juvenile
- 24" L × 12" W × 12" H recommended · min 18" L × 12" W × 12" H
- Adult
- 36" L × 18" W × 18" H recommended · min 30" L × 12" W × 12" H
Temperature and heating
Overhead heat (halogen, deep heat projector or radiant panel) on a thermostat, creating a warm-to-cool gradient.
- Basking / warm surface
- 85–90°F surface
- Warm side (ambient)
- 80–85°F
- Cool side (ambient)
- 70–75°F
- Night
- No lower than 65°F
Lighting and UVB
UVB: Low-level UVB (ShadeDweller / T5 6%) is beneficial but not strictly required. Run lights on a 12 hours on, 12 hours off photoperiod, on a timer, and replace UVB bulbs on the manufacturer's schedule even while they still emit visible light.
Humidity
Target 30–50%. Dry overall with a humid hide during shed.
Substrate and depth
Aspen or a sand/soil mix with rock stacks. Depth: 2–3 in.
Diet and feeding
Small frozen-thawed mice every 7–10 days; some hatchlings need lizard-scented pinkies to start.
Enclosure tips and furnishing
- Hides on both the warm and cool sides
- Clean water available at all times
- Clutter — cork, leaf litter, plants — for cover
Build list
- Enclosure at adult size — Buy for the adult footprint to avoid repeated upgrades.
- Digital thermostat — Every heat source must run through a thermostat — unregulated heat burns animals.
- Two digital probe thermometers + hygrometer — Read the warm side, cool side and humidity directly.
Gray-banded kingsnake FAQ
How big should an adult Gray-banded kingsnake enclosure be?
At least 30" L × 12" W × 12" H, and we recommend building to 36" L × 18" W × 18" H — about 3 × 1.5 × 1.5 ft, or a 50-gallon glass equivalent. Terrestrial — floor space first.
What temperatures does a Gray-banded kingsnake need?
Basking or warm surface 85–90°F surface, warm side 80–85°F, cool side 70–75°F, night No lower than 65°F. Overhead heat (halogen, deep heat projector or radiant panel) on a thermostat, creating a warm-to-cool gradient.
Does a Gray-banded kingsnake need UVB?
Low-level UVB (ShadeDweller / T5 6%) is beneficial but not strictly required. Photoperiod: 12 hours on, 12 hours off.
What humidity does a Gray-banded kingsnake need?
30–50%. Dry overall with a humid hide during shed.
What substrate is best for a Gray-banded kingsnake?
Aspen or a sand/soil mix with rock stacks, at a depth of 2–3 in.
How big does a Gray-banded kingsnake enclosure need to be for a hatchling?
Hatchling / baby: 12" L × 12" W × 12" H recommended, minimum 12" L × 12" W × 12" H. Scale up to the adult footprint as the animal grows.
Sources
Put this guide to work
Apply these targets to your own gray-banded kingsnake record, then log feedings, sheds and weights against them.