Florida King Snake Information
The Florida king snake originated in southern Florida and makes its home in many east coast locales, typically forests and swamps. This constrictor is immune to the venom of pit vipers like rattlesnakes, and it thrives in the wild, particularly if it has some type of hiding place into which it can escape. The Florida king snake is also a popular choice as a pet and can live for 20 years or even longer with the proper care.
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Appearance
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There are eight subspecies of king snakes, each with its own distinct look and markings, but only two of these subspecies are found in Florida. The Florida king snake, or Lampropeltis getula floridana in Latin, is found mostly in the central and southern regions of the state. It features stripes of yellow and black in a cross-banded pattern. Another variety, known as the eastern king snake, is found in North Florida. It is a shiny black snake with narrow bands in shades of white or pale yellow.
Diet
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In the wild, a Florida king snake eats lizards, rodents, frogs and other snakes. A young pet snake can subsist on baby mice, but it will quickly grow big enough to require adult mice. Baby and juvenile Florida king snakes need to be fed about once a week, while adults may go seven to 10 days between feedings. If your king snake does not eat, don't worry; he could be about to shed his skin. Most snakes will not eat during this time.
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Lifespan and Reproduction
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A Florida king snake usually lives between 10 and 20 years. The snake reaches adulthood at about three years of age, and a typical female will lay one or two clutches of eggs annually, generally between the months of February and May. Each clutch will incubate for a period of approximately eight to nine weeks at temperatures of 82 to 84 degrees Fahrenheit before hatching in the summer into newborn snakes about five to eight inches in length.
Housing
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Florida king snakes grow to an average of four feet in length at maturity, but can be as long as six feet. If you plan to keep one as a pet, you should make sure to house her in a 29- to 40-gallon terrarium. Make sure to provide a heat source because Florida king snakes require temperature ranges between 84 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit during the day. At night, the temperature should be about 68 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Be careful of direct sunlight, as it can overheat the terrarium. Florida king snakes don't require any special type of bedding, but you should make sure to give your snake a deep layer of whatever kind you choose so that he may hide.
Temperament and Care
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Florida king snakes are not venomous and can be safely handled on a daily basis, an activity to which the species' docile nature lends itself well. Young snakes can be a bit aggressive, but they are easily tamed. They require clean water at all times, and their bedding should be changed at least once a month. Feces will need to be removed often, probably several times each week, and the entire terrarium should be cleaned often. You should always wash your hands after handling your Florida king snake.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Snake image by Lucid_Exposure from Fotolia.com
