A snake pet sounds daring, but you need to make sure that you take care of them. Famously known as desert black, the Mexican Black Kingsnake is one of the nine geographic races among the common kingsnake. If you’re comparing them with others, then know for a fact that these snakes have different habits, coloration, and behavior.
What do You need to Know About Mexican Black Kingsnake?
These are medium-sized kingsnakes. Mexican black kingsnake hatchings are usually 8-inches in length and their size gradually increases up to 40 inches within 2-4 years. It’s rare to find a 48-inches long Mexican black kingsnake. They come with dark and small eyes along with round pupils. The Mexican black kingsnake size attracts a lot of pet owners.
Most of the Mexican black kingsnakes are found in Sinaloa and Sonora deserts in Arizona. Although they are great for sand areas, you will also find them in grasslands. They come out at night to prey for food. These snakes prefer lizards and other elongated prey as food. They are also one of the best predators of snakes. If the animal is small enough for them to take over, they will eat it no matter if it’s a frog or a rodent.
When it comes to self-defense, their color acts as the best camouflage for them. At night, their skin color helps them to save themselves from predators such as feral cats, hawks, coyotes, foxes, and owls. Biting, hissing, and rattling their tails is the best self-defense these snakes know of; however, when picked up, they release a foul-smelling musk or defecate to dissuade the predator.
These snakes are capable of giving birth to at least 24 eggs in a year. One of the most common misconceptions about Mexican black kingsnakes is that they are only found in jet black color when that’s not true. Rainbow Mexican black kingsnake is also one of a kind that you can find in the desert. These snakes can serve as excellent pet for owners.
Mexican Black Kingsnake Care
Mexican Black Kingsnake is one of the snakes with huge appetite and hunting abilities. If you’re planning to keep this snake as your pet, then you definitely need to take care of their everyday meals on time.
These hunters usually eat toads, rodents, birds, eggs, and lizards. You might also find these snakes preying on other snakes. They can kill other snakes because they are immune to pit viper venom, so preying on other snakes is a piece of cake for them.
They come with an expanding jaw, so preying on snakes or animals bigger than them is not a problem for Mexican Black Kingsnake. If you’ve Mexican black kingsnake as your pet, then make sure to feed them food of the same diameter as the thickest part of their body.
They are usually fed frozen thawed mice. Live prey is avoided as it can rage a fight between the snake and mice leading to injuries or infections. Make sure to thaw the food that you’re giving to them.
If you have a baby Mexican black kingsnake, then it should be fed every five days. At one year of age, they should be fed every 7-10 days. Finally, a full-grown Mexican black kingsnake should be fed every 10-14 days. Make sure to not feed them when they are shedding.
Do not re-freeze the food that your snake has skipped eating, just throw it in the trash can. You can also try feeding them frozen-thawed chicken occasionally.
What is Mexican Black Kingsnake Lifespan?
If you find a Mexican black kingsnake on sale, then the first thing that comes to your mind is its price and its lifespan. Commonly, these snakes can live up to 20-30 years. When we talk about their life in captivity, then they are expected to live for about 15-20 years with 3-4 feet in length. Make sure the captivity gives them the vibes of the real world.
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Full Grown Mexican Black Kingsnake
Mexican Black Kingsnake For Sale
Mexican Black Kingsnakes are available for sale and they are a popular pet snake species due to their beautiful black pattern. It’s important to purchase your Mexican Black Kingsnake from a reputable breeder or pet store to ensure the snake is healthy and has been properly cared for.
Before bringing your new pet home, make sure you have the necessary equipment, such as a suitable enclosure, heating and lighting, and proper food and water dishes.
With proper care, a Mexican Black Kingsnake can live for over 20 years in captivity.
Mexican Black Kingsnake For Sale California
Mexican Black Kingsnakes are commonly available for sale in pet stores and reptile breeders across California.
- Amazon Reptile Center
- Paramount Reptiles
- The Serpentarium
Mexican Black Kingsnake For Sale Online
Mexican Black Kingsnakes are readily available for sale online through various reptile breeders and pet stores. some of the famous are listed below
- Morph Market
- Big Apple Herp
- Imperial Reptiles
- XYZ Reptiles
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. Where to buy a Mexican Black Kingsnake?
A. There are many top breeders of Mexican Black Kingsnakes in the world from where you can purchase them.
Q. How much does a Mexican Black Kingsnake cost?
A. The Mexican black kingsnake can usually cost around $200 or more depending on their age.
Q. Is Mexican Black Kingsnake poisonous?
A. No, Mexican black kingsnake is not venomous. They are safe to keep as pets at home, however, it’s necessary to take care of them around their prey.
Q. Is Mexican Black Kingsnake aggressive?
A. Usually, Mexican Black Kingsnake is not aggressive, but when feeling threatened, they hiss, rattle their tails, and bite.
Q. Is Mexican Black Kingsnake good for beginners?
A. Yes, Mexican black kingsnake is a good option for beginners. They do not require any special diet, which makes them easy to handle. They also make good pets.
Q. Are Mexican Black Kingsnake good pets?
A. Yes, Mexican black kingsnake is good pets. They are not aggressive, hard to handle, or comes with special requirements. They are perfect for beginners too.
Q. Are female Mexican Black Kingsnakes bigger than males?
A. No, there is no such difference in size between both sexes.
Q. Is Mexican Black Kingsnake friendly?
A. Mexican black kingsnakes are friendly because they are easy to handle and not venomous. You can find these snakes most active at night.
Q. What makes a good name for your snake?
A. The best name for your snake will depend on your personal preferences and the snake’s unique personality and appearance. You may want to observe your snake’s behavior and markings for inspiration, or choose a name that reflects its appearance. Here are some examples: Onyx, Coal, Shadow, Noir, and Midnight.
