California Kingsnake vs Garter Snake
Side-by-side care comparison to help you choose.
| California Kingsnake | Garter Snake | |
|---|---|---|
| Difficulty | Beginner | Beginner |
| Adult size | 36-48 inches | 18-30 inches |
| Lifespan | 15-20 years | 6-10 years |
| Min enclosure | 40 gallon breeder (36x18x18 inches) | 40 gallon breeder (36x18x18 in) |
| Basking temp | 85-90F | 85-90°F |
| Humidity | 30-40% | 40-60% |
| UVB | Not required, but low-level UVB (2-5%) can be beneficial | Optional - low level UVB (e.g., T5 HO 5.0) beneficial |
| Diet | Rodents appropriately sized (e.g., adult mice to small rats) every 7-14 days. | Earthworms, fish, and rodents; feed juveniles every 5-7 days, adults every 7-10 days. |