Reptile & Amphibian Forums

What is the ave. size for an adult female splendida? I have an '06 that eats like a horse but isn't growing very fast.Someone (don't remember who)posted a pic awhile back of one that was huge.If that's an average sized one,mine's a dwarf!l.o.l. Jeff

While the official literature implies that some species are larger than others, and some do tend to be slightly larger (Florida Kings), the reality is that *any* species can produce small or large specimens.

Often I hear of posts of specimens over 5 feet long that are "supposed" to remain under 4 feet. (I'm learning to trust the official literature less and less on a number of other points, too.)

It depends on the environment, diet, temperature, handling and individual snake.

Your snake, if cared for well, will likely grow to be the same length as most kingsnakes - between 4 & 5 feet.

(All reptiles continue to grow throughout their lifetimes, but slow down their growth rate considerably after becoming adults. This is why you once saw the "monster" snapping turtle, or alligator, or snake. They were the oldest individuals in that locale.)

Good advice from the above post. I live in SW New Mex and it's not rare to see adult splendidas 4' or slightly bigger. I have a female splendida 4 and half feet in lenght. So the books do need to be updated, most are out of date in many areas.

I know they have a new record of a wild caught black king in size, if I remember right is was just over 6', which is way bigger than what the books state in size for this king.

Scott D