Lampropeltis getula nigritus (Mexican black king snake)

Origin: Northwest Sinaloa, Mexico and small areas of Arizona
Length: 0.9 to 1.2 meters
Age:
The Mexican black king snake is a sight to behold. Due to the pitch black glossy color they offer a nice contrast to all richly colored species within the same genus. Sometimes traces of white can still be seen in newly hatched animals in the form of small spots between the scales and on the abdomen, but these disappear after a few molts. They have a typical build that fits this genus. The head is quite short and strong and hardly separated from the body. The body itself is strong and relatively broad in build. Matching with a snake that can be cannibalistic.

Grooming
Experience: Novice snake keeper
Food: Live or dead prey.
Feed adult: Every 7 to 8 days.
Feed young: Every 5 days
Water bowl: Yes
Change the water: 3 times a week

Nutrition
The Mexican black king snake is like all other king snakes a real choke snake, so it can also eat prey larger than its head. In the wild, they eat a varied diet consisting mainly of rodents. In captivity, a diet of rodents, including mainly mice and rats, is fine. It is advisable to offer this death. This is more practical and prevents the food animals from injuring your snake. We recommend that you present the food animals with a pair of tongs and that you feed your snake outside the enclosure. This has the advantage that your hand is not associated with food.

If you do go for live food, you must supervise the feeding. If you keep the Mexican Black Kingsnake together with other snakes, you will have to take them apart before feeding, as the snakes sometimes injure each other during feeding.

In captivity, Mexican Black Kingsnakes can become obese, so it is important that you regularly weigh your snake and adjust feeding accordingly. Obesity is associated with various other diseases and health problems.

Water: Like many snakes, the Mexican Black Kingsnake has a need for water. Not only for drinking, but also for bathing. To allow this, the water bowl must be large enough for the King's Snake to lie in it with its whole body and preferably a little bigger itself.

Cleaning
A hygienic living environment is important to keep your hose healthy. In order to achieve this, the accommodation will have to be cleaned regularly. Cleaning once a week is regular enough. In addition, to prevent the build-up of bacteria, the entire accommodation must be cleaned and disinfected a few times a year.

Handling
Your snake will have to be handled to feed the Mexican Black Kingsnake and to clean the enclosure. This must of course be done properly so that the snake and you are safe. Handle the hose with a hose hook or lift it with both hands. Do not hang your snake around your neck, because if the snake falls it will soon clamp itself around your neck. In addition, there are some important things to watch out for when handling Mexican Black Kingsnake. First, make sure your snake realizes that you are going to handle it and move gently when you handle it. Also make sure your hands are washed and don't smell like food. Finally, do not handle your snake when it is shedding and do not handle it in the dark.

Housing
Minimum enclosure size for 1 snake: 80 x 40 x 40
Laying surface: 1m2 with at least one raised lying board per hose on which the hose can lie.
Day temperature: 25-30C
Night temperature: 21-23C
Hours of light: Summer: 12 noon - 1 pm Winter: 8 noon - noon
Humidity degree: 40% -60%
Ground cover: Newspapers, bark or peat litter

Design
The Mexican Black Kingsnake is an opportunistic hunter who likes to explore its environment. Also make sure that this water bowl is stable so that they cannot knock it over. Finally, the hose must be allowed to pull away. You can achieve this by offering the snake hiding options in the form of an upside-down flower pot or an artificial cave.

Before the stay, there are some extra things that need to be taken into account. For example, the Mexican Black Kingsnake is quite good at escaping and it will have to be ensured that they cannot just open their door. You can do this by putting a lock on the accommodation. In addition, ventilation is required to keep the air fresh and it is advisable to place the accommodation out of the bright sun and as vibration-free as possible.

Behaviour
Hunting method: Strangulation snake
Lifestyle: Active day & night
Character
The Mexican black king snake is an active type of snake that is easy to handle if approached calmly.

Points of attention
The Mexican black king snake is capable of eating prey larger than its head. For a large snake, this can even be children and pets. Therefore, never leave your hose alone with your children or pets. It is also important that the snake can choose between a warm and a less warm side of the terrarium.

Costs and Purchase
Legislation: The Mexican black king snake is subject to CITES II, to own this snake you need CITES or transfer papers. You should get this with the purchase.
One-off costs: This includes the costs for the accommodation, lighting, heating, water bowl and decoration. All together this can cost a few hundred euros to a few thousand euros. The final amount depends on the quality and size of the products.
Fixed costs: Fixed costs include the costs for the feed, this is several tens of euros per year.
Unexpected costs: Costs have been incurred when your snake happens to get sick or your equipment breaks down.