Lampropeltis pyromelana

Lampropeltis pyromelana
Lampropeltis pyromelana woodini
Conservation status

Least Concern  (IUCN 2.3) [1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Colubridae
Genus: Lampropeltis
Species: L. pyromelana
Binomial name
Lampropeltis pyromelana
(Cope, 1866)

Lampropeltis pyromelana, the Arizona mountain kingsnake, is a species of snake native to the eastern part of Arizona. The adult size of the snake is thought to be 36 inches (910 mm) in length,[2] and they only eat mice.

Care

They can be kept in a 5–45-US-gallon (19–170 l; 4.2–37.5 imp gal) glass or acrylic aquarium. Their substrate can be wood shavings of any sort, or shredded newspaper. They need some source of heat either a pad or a lamp and daytime temperature should be around 78–82 °F (26–28 °C) with the nighttime temperatures being around 65–70 °F (18–21 °C), a basking spot should be 85–90 °F (29–32 °C).

They eat strictly frozen mice, depending on the size of the snake that should be the judge of the size of the mouse. Baby snakes eat fuzzies or pinkies while adult snakes eat large mice or rats. Live mice can injure the snake and freezing can kill most of the harmful parasites. Avoid feeding it with the wood shavings because the snake can ingest it and become injured.

References

  1. ↑ G. A. Hammerson & F. Mendoza-Quijano (2007). "Lampropeltis pyromelana". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.1. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
  2. ↑ "Lampropeltis Information". University of Pittsburgh. Retrieved July 6, 2012.

External links