Brooks Kingsnake (Flame)

Brooks Kingsnake (Flame)

Scientific Name: Lampropeltis getula brooksi
Common Name: Brooks Kingsnake, Florida Kingsnake

Species Overview

Size: Adults typically reach 4–6 feet (1.2–1.8 m) in length, with a thick, muscular build and smooth, glossy scales.

Appearance: The Flame Brooks Kingsnake is a vivid, selectively bred colour form of the Florida population of the Eastern Kingsnake complex. It features intense red, orange, and yellow tones that glow over a faintly patterned or nearly patternless base. The typical black speckling found on wild Brooks Kingsnakes is greatly reduced or absent, allowing the warm pigmentation to dominate. The result is a bright, fiery appearance that gives the morph its name. The eyes are dark, and the scales have a polished sheen that enhances the contrast between colour gradients.

Distribution: Originates from selective captive breeding of the Brooks Kingsnake, a naturally occurring form native to southern Florida.

Habitat: Brooks Kingsnakes inhabit pine flatwoods, prairies, and agricultural areas across southern Florida. In captivity, this morph thrives in naturalistic terrariums with soft substrate, climbing branches, and secure hiding areas.

Behaviour: Brooks Kingsnakes are hardy, confident, and active. They are intelligent for colubrids, often exploring their enclosures and watching movement outside. Once acclimated, they tolerate handling well and rarely display defensive behaviour.

Captive Care

Enclosure: Adults require an enclosure at least 4 feet × 2 feet × 2 feet. Provide multiple hides, smooth branches, and a spacious floor area. A loose, absorbent substrate such as soil, coconut fibre, or aspen helps maintain humidity and allows burrowing.

Temperature & Humidity: Maintain a daytime gradient of 78–86°F (26–30°C) with a basking spot near 90°F (32°C). Allow nighttime drops to 70–74°F (21–23°C). Keep humidity between 45–60%, offering a humid hide for shedding.

Diet: Feed frozen-thawed rodents every 7–10 days for juveniles and every 10–14 days for adults. They are reliable feeders with strong feeding responses.

Behaviour in Captivity: Brooks Kingsnakes are alert and curious but calm under regular handling. They are hardy snakes that thrive with consistent care and stable conditions.

Special Considerations: Kingsnakes may prey on other snakes, so they should always be housed individually. Their bright Flame coloration is stable and does not fade with age when properly maintained under moderate lighting.

Genetics Note

Flame (Polygenic Selective Trait): Developed through selective breeding for enhanced red and orange pigmentation and reduced black speckling. This is not a single-gene mutation but a polygenic line refined over multiple generations.

Genetic Combination Summary

The Brooks Kingsnake (Flame) expresses a selectively bred, polygenic trait:

• Flame: Intensifies red and orange tones while reducing dark speckling, producing a bright, fiery appearance.

Unlike recessive or codominant morphs, the Flame trait relies on careful multi-generational selection. The result is a vivid, warm-toned kingsnake that stands out both visually and genetically among North American colubrids.