Geographical Region

Found all over America and areas of Mexico.

Habitat

Semi arid areas, but will also inhabit areas or vegetation and forest.

Colour

Red, black and cream banding, albino form is also available.

Size

Adults rarely reach over 4ft.

Captive Environment

36 x 18 x 18inches minimum for an adult pair – usually better to go larger if possible, as this allows more room to move and thermoregulate (control body temperature).

Dry substrate such as aspen or reptile hemp bedding. Provide a few hides at each end of the vivarium as well as a water bowl at the cooler end of the vivarium. Branches and plastic plants are added extras but are not essential.

Heating/lighting requirements

Ambient temperature between 78 - 84°F. All warmth should be situated at one end of the vivarium with a heatmat and a normal tungsten light bulb of around 40 – 60w providing a basking area. A heat gradient is required to allow the snake to effectively thermoregulate. Turn lighting off at night to allow for a naturalistic night time temperature drop. Always use a thermometer to check the temperatures at the warm and cooler ends.

Photoperiod

Autumn/winter – 11 hours light – 13 hours dark.

Spring/summer – 13 hours light – 11 hours dark.

Feeding

Hatchlings are sold feeding on defrosted pink mice – 1 every 7 days.

As the snake grows the prey item should increase in size- ask use for advice.

Sexing

Males have a longer, more slender tail that tapers gradually from a wide base.

Females have a shorter tail that tapers more abrupt from a thinner base.

Shedding

Snakes periodically shed their skin, their colouration tends to become dull and they usually go off their food during this time, and their eyesight is poor. Keep handling to a minimum during this time