California kingsnake

Kingsnake · 0 live listings

The California kingsnake is a hardy, eager-feeding kingsnake from the southwestern US and northwestern Mexico, best known in banded and striped forms. Kingsnakes eat other snakes in the wild, and that shapes how they are kept: always alone.

At a glance

Origin
Southwestern US, northwestern Mexico
Adult size
3–4 ft
Lifespan
15–25 years
Housing
4×2×2 ft, locked lid
Diet
Frozen-thawed mice
Best fit
First snake, pattern fans
Species
Kingsnake
Category
Reptiles & exotics
Registries
Clutch identifier
Papers
5 categories
HandlingNippy and musky when young
Setup complexityLocked lid, house singly
Feeding easeStrong feeding response
Beginner fitGood first snake

Scales follow breed-club and veterinary consensus; individual animals vary. Listings show what each seller has on file.

The tradeoffs, honestly

Hatchlings can be nippy and musky, and an adult will eat a cagemate. It is a California native, so selling captive-bred offspring in California needs a state permit.

Common questions

Can it live with another snake?

No. Kingsnakes eat other snakes, including their own kind, so house every kingsnake on its own and feed it alone.

Can I sell its babies in California?

It is a California native. Selling captive-bred offspring in California needs a native reptile captive propagation permit (a placeholder rule that counsel is still confirming). Other states set their own rules.

What should I ask for before buying?

Ask for a clear fecal and a negative crypto PCR, and a dated feeding log showing several meals on frozen-thawed mice. A hatch record with the parents and clutch date shows the snake is captive-bred.

Market, past 90 daysFull index →
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Typical rangeNot enough sales yet for a rangeLive listings0
Health tests to ask for
Fecal exam clearCryptosporidium PCR negativeExotics vet exam on fileGenetics report for het claimsHatch or birth record on filePhoto ID on file

Ask the seller for these. Documents on Everybarn are on file for your own checks; we don't check them with the issuer.

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California kingsnake · Everybarn