Details
Lampropeltis californiae
The California kingsnake is a nonvenomous snake of the western United States and northwestern Mexico. Variable bands or stripes and resistance to rattlesnake venom make it famous.
Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)
It uses deserts, grasslands, scrub, woodland, wetlands and human edges in California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah and Baja California. Shelter is often under rocks or debris.
Adults are 76-200 cm long and about 300-1500 g. Most have alternating black-and-white or brown-and-cream bands, though striped and dark forms occur.
It can be active by day or night depending on temperature. When threatened, it may vibrate the tail and retreat into cover.
Rodents, lizards, birds, eggs and other snakes are constricted and eaten. Resistance to rattlesnake venom allows it to prey on venomous snakes.
The species lays eggs after spring mating. Hatchlings emerge in summer and begin taking small reptiles and rodents.
It is common in captivity with many color morphs. Introduced populations on Gran Canaria have become an invasive conservation problem.
