Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi all,

I am a neophyte ophiophile.
In simpler terms, I bought my first snake a week ago: a spendid Grey-banded Kingsnake (Lampropeltis alterna).

Most of my questions have been answered on the Internet.

However, I have been unable to find any information about the age at which this snake reaches its final size.

I do not even know whether it can be hibernated in captivity.
I live in a flat and have no way of keeping him for two months at 55°F.
and I wouldn't dare leave it on the balcony, because here in Paris the temperature changes are lately impressive (from one day to the next there are changes of 50°F.

I fed him a baby mouse, and he has been holed up in a hiding place in the terrarium for two days now.
Is it normal for the digestion of a very small animal to take so long ?

Thank you very much in advance for your answers.
Rani

>>Hi all,
>>
>>I am a neophyte ophiophile.
>>In simpler terms, I bought my first snake a week ago: a spendid Grey-banded Kingsnake (Lampropeltis alterna).
>>
>>Most of my questions have been answered on the Internet.
>>
>>However, I have been unable to find any information about the age at which this snake reaches its final size.
>>
>>I do not even know whether it can be hibernated in captivity.
>>I live in a flat and have no way of keeping him for two months at 55°F.
>>and I wouldn't dare leave it on the balcony, because here in Paris the temperature changes are lately impressive (from one day to the next there are changes of 50°F.
>>
>>I fed him a baby mouse, and he has been holed up in a hiding place in the terrarium for two days now.
>>Is it normal for the digestion of a very small animal to take so long ?
>>
>>Thank you very much in advance for your answers.
>>Rani

Typically a grey-banded kingsnake will reach it's adult size at 3 years old, maxing out between 28 and 42 inches. Most people are successful hibernating them in a closet from November until the end of February. They don't need to be kept very cold consistently but do your best to keep them between 55 and 65 degrees. You can hibernate it on your balcony just as long as it doesn't get to freezing and it has plenty of substrate to burrow in. If you have an attic or crawlspace in your roof that is an ideal place to hibernate them. It typically takes 7-10 days for the snake to digest a meal.

Thank you Jeff

Hi,

After now more than a month since the begin of my experience with an alterna, I write you again in search of reassurance.

I never see it in the centre of the terrarium.
During the hours when it is active (and I am awake), I see it grappling with the glass.
It rubs back and forth; from bottom to top... and so on without end.

The branches and rocks in the terrarium don't seem to interest it at all.

Is that normal?
Cheers
Rani

The Grey-banded Kingsnake (Lampropeltis alterna) reaches adult size at around 3-4 years of age. As for hibernation, this species does not require hibernation but can benefit from a drop in temperature. It is normal for snakes to hide after eating and is nothing to worry about, as long as the environment is warm enough to aid digestion.

Happy snake keeping!
Solar Smash