RecoverySnakes
King / milk snake care guide
Lampropeltis spp.
Restless, muscular colubrids that roam constantly. They must be housed alone — kingsnakes eat other snakes.
Terrestrial — floor space first
King / milk snake enclosure size
Terrestrial — floor space first. An adult king / milk snake should live in at least 48" L × 24" W × 18" H; we build toward 60" L × 24" W × 24" H (5 × 2 × 2 ft, roughly 10 sq ft of floor and about a 150-gallon glass equivalent).
- Hatchling / baby
- 30" L × 12" W × 12" H recommended · min 20" L × 10" W × 10" H
- Juvenile
- 36" L × 18" W × 16" H recommended · min 30" L × 12" W × 12" H
- Adult
- 60" L × 24" W × 24" H recommended · min 48" L × 24" W × 18" H
Temperature and heating
Overhead halogen on a thermostat.
- Basking / warm surface
- 88–90°F surface
- Warm side (ambient)
- 84–86°F ambient
- Cool side (ambient)
- 72–78°F ambient
- Night
- 68–74°F
Lighting and UVB
UVB: T5 UVB 5–6% recommended. Run lights on a 12 hours photoperiod, on a timer, and replace UVB bulbs on the manufacturer's schedule even while they still emit visible light.
Humidity
Target 40–60%. Water bowl plus a humid hide during shed.
Substrate and depth
Aspen or soil mix. Depth: 3 in.
Enclosure tips and furnishing
- Warm and cool hides
- Secure latching lid
- Water bowl
- Branches and clutter
Build list
- 4ft enclosure with locking doors — Kingsnakes push at any weak seam.
- Halogen + thermostat — Gradient across the length of the enclosure.
- 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 — stick-on dials are inaccurate.
- Aspen bedding in bulk — Lets them tunnel and stays dry.
King / milk snake FAQ
How big should an adult King / milk snake enclosure be?
At least 48" L × 24" W × 18" H, and we recommend building to 60" L × 24" W × 24" H — about 5 × 2 × 2 ft, or a 150-gallon glass equivalent. Terrestrial — floor space first.
What temperatures does a King / milk snake need?
Basking or warm surface 88–90°F surface, warm side 84–86°F ambient, cool side 72–78°F ambient, night 68–74°F. Overhead halogen on a thermostat.
Does a King / milk snake need UVB?
T5 UVB 5–6% recommended. Photoperiod: 12 hours.
What humidity does a King / milk snake need?
40–60%. Water bowl plus a humid hide during shed.
What substrate is best for a King / milk snake?
Aspen or soil mix, at a depth of 3 in.
How big does a King / milk snake enclosure need to be for a hatchling?
Hatchling / baby: 30" L × 12" W × 12" H recommended, minimum 20" L × 10" W × 10" H. Scale up to the adult footprint as the animal grows.
Sources
Put this guide to work
Apply these targets to your own king / milk snake record, then log feedings, sheds and weights against them.