Reptile · Kingsnake & milksnake
Gray-banded kingsnake care guide
Lampropeltis alterna
The gray-banded kingsnake is a intermediate-level kingsnake & milksnake from Trans-Pecos Texas, N Mexico. Adults reach 75–120 cm and live 15–20 years in captivity. Strictly solitary.
- Enclosure 90 × 45 × 45 cm
- Temp Warm 28–30°C, cool 22°C
- Humidity 30–50%
How much does a gray-banded kingsnake cost in Canada?
Gray-banded kingsnake quick facts
- Skill level
- Intermediate
- Adult size
- 75–120 cm
- Lifespan
- 15–20 years
- Activity
- Nocturnal
- Native range
- Trans-Pecos Texas, N Mexico
- Minimum enclosure
- 90 × 45 × 45 cm (35 × 18 × 18 in, ≈ 48 US gal)
- Housing
- Best kept alone.
- Temperature
- Warm 28–30°C, cool 22°C
- Humidity
- 30–50%
- UVB
- Recommended
- Diet
- Carnivore – frozen/thawed mice
- Bioactive style
- Temperate forest
Gray-banded kingsnake enclosure & bioactive setup
Give one adult at least 90 × 45 × 45 cm (35 × 18 × 18 inches). Best kept alone. This species suits a temperate forest bioactive build.
- Leaf litter2 cm
- Jurassic ABG Terrarium Mix10 cm
Keep a moisture gradient: drier on top and at the warm end, slightly moist underneath and at the cool end.
Temperature: Warm 28–30°C, cool 22°C. Humidity: 30–50%. UVB: Recommended.
What does a gray-banded kingsnake eat?
Carnivore – frozen/thawed mice. Feed one appropriately sized thawed mouse every 10–14 days; some hatchlings start on lizard-scented pinkies.
Handling, temperament & health
Usually calm and rarely bites as an adult.
Health watch: Watch for feeding refusal in hatchlings and respiratory infections.
Cleaning & maintenance schedule
Daily
- Check temperatures and refresh water.
Weekly
- Lightly moisten the cool end and lower soil.
- Spot-clean waste.
Monthly
- Top up leaf litter; check hides and branches are stable.
Yearly
- Partially refresh soil in high-traffic areas.
- Replace UVB bulbs (if used).
Recommended for a gray-banded kingsnake bioactive
Quantities are for one minimum-size enclosure (90 × 45 × 45 cm).
Jurassic ABG Terrarium Mix
Bioactive soil layer, 10 cm
Coco Husk Chips - Dried Loose Pack
Optional top layer (coco husk chips)
Red Oak Leaves 15/Pack
Leaf litter – food and cover for the clean-up crew
Cork Bark Flats
A hide in each temperature zone
Cork Branches
Many colubrids climb more than people expect
Gray-banded kingsnake FAQ
Is the gray-banded kingsnake good for beginners?
The gray-banded kingsnake is best for keepers with some experience (intermediate). Usually calm and rarely bites as an adult.
What size enclosure does a gray-banded kingsnake need?
At least 90 × 45 × 45 cm (about 35 × 18 × 18 inches, roughly 48 US gallons) for one adult. Best kept alone.
How much does a gray-banded kingsnake cost in Canada?
Typically $200–600 CAD to buy, about $570–1070 CAD for a complete bioactive enclosure, and $150–300 CAD a year to keep.
What temperature and humidity does a gray-banded kingsnake need?
Temperature: Warm 28–30°C, cool 22°C. Humidity: 30–50%.
What does a gray-banded kingsnake eat?
Carnivore – frozen/thawed mice. Feed one appropriately sized thawed mouse every 10–14 days; some hatchlings start on lizard-scented pinkies.
Similar species
This care sheet is general guidance from One Bioactive, not veterinary advice. Needs vary with age, locality and individual animals – confirm with your breeder and an exotics vet. Prices are typical Canadian ranges in CAD and change over time.