Description
Mexican Black Kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula nigrita)
The Mexican Black Kingsnake is a sleek and highly sought-after snake species, famous for its stunning jet-black coloration and glossy, iridescent scales. Hardy, curious, and easy to care for, this species is an excellent choice for both beginners and experienced reptile keepers looking for a striking and active snake.
Habitat
Native to the arid and semi-arid regions of Mexico, this species thrives in a warm, secure enclosure with plenty of hiding spots and room to explore.
- Enclosure: Secure terrestrial vivarium with good floor space
-
Temperature:
- Warm side: 28–31°C
- Cool side: 22–25°C
- Humidity: Moderate (40–60%) with a humid hide during shedding
- Lighting: No special UVB requirements, though low-level UVB can be beneficial
- Decor: Cork bark, branches, rocks, and multiple hides for security and enrichment
Feeding
Mexican Black Kingsnakes are enthusiastic feeders with strong feeding responses.
- Diet: Appropriately sized mice or rats
-
Feeding frequency:
- Juveniles: Every 5–7 days
- Adults: Every 7–10 days
- Fresh water should always be available
General Care
This species is hardy, active, and generally very manageable in captivity.
- Temperament: Curious, alert, and usually calm with regular handling
- Handling: Excellent handling species for most keepers
- Lifespan: 15–20+ years with proper care
- Maintenance: Regular spot cleaning and maintaining correct temperatures are essential
Why Choose a Mexican Black Kingsnake?
- Stunning all-black glossy appearance
- Hardy and beginner-friendly
- Active and inquisitive personality
- Excellent feeding response and easy care requirements
Elegant, hardy, and full of character, the Mexican Black Kingsnake is a fantastic addition to any reptile collection.
Click & Collect
Livestock will only be bagged once you arrive, or if you contact us in advance to request it ready beforehand.
Local Delivery
Order anything from our in-store range and have it delivered right to you.
-
Minimum spend: £50
-
Delivery from £15 - £30
- Range 0-25 miles from store
Distances are measured “as the crow flies”, not by road.
Once your order is placed, we’ll be in touch to arrange a suitable delivery date and time.
Please note, delivery may take a little longer as we often group orders together to build an efficient delivery run.
Important: If you’re ordering a large aquarium, please ensure someone is available to help unload the van on arrival.
Dry Goods Delivery
-
DX Express: 1 working day, same-day dispatch before noon 0-75kg
-
Express Pallet: 1–3 working days 75-500kg
If you'd like to add more items to an existing order that hasn't yet been dispatched, please place a Click & Collect order and leave a note asking us to combine the orders.
Please note: We currently only dispatch parcels Wednesday to Friday.
Pre-Order
Want the full details? Check out our Terms & Conditions.
Livestock Delivery
Thursday Delivery – £24
-
Dispatched Wednesday afternoon
-
Delivered Thursday before 1pm
-
Order by Wednesday 12 noon
-
Minimum spend: £50
Friday Delivery – £24
-
Dispatched Thursday afternoon
-
Delivered Friday before 1pm
-
Order by Thursday 12 noon
-
Minimum spend: £50
Saturday Delivery – £29
-
Dispatched Friday afternoon
-
Delivered Saturday before 1pm
-
Order by Friday 12 noon
-
Minimum spend: £50
📦 Want to Add to an Existing Order?
No problem! Just place a Click & Collect order and leave a note asking us to link it with your original one (as long as it hasn’t been dispatched yet).
🛒 Dry Goods Now Included!
You can now include dry goods in your livestock delivery – perfect for topping up supplies in one go.
❄️ Please note: We can’t send frozen food with livestock – please order frozen items separately.
⚠️ Delivery Exclusions
Unfortunately, we’re unable to deliver livestock to the following postcodes:
Scotland & Isles:
AB30–AB56, DD8–DD10, DG3–DG9, DG12–DG14, FK17–FK21, KA18–KA19, KA26–KA30, PA20–PA38, PA80, PH3–PH40
Cornwall Isles: TR21–TR25
All of the following postcodes are excluded:
BT, HS, IM, IV, JE, KW
Plus Channel Islands and Shetland Islands
Payment & Security
Your payment information is processed securely. We do not store credit card details nor have access to your credit card information.