California Kingsnake

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iCalifornia King Snake
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Reptilia Order: Squamata Suborder: Serpentes Family: Colubridae Genus: Lampropeltis Species: L. getula Subspecies: L. g. californiae
Trinomial name
Lampropeltis getula californiae (Blainville, 1835)

The California Kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula californiae) is a subspecies of the Common Kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula). It is a non-venomous kingsnake native to Western North America, particularly California, Arizona, Nevada, and Oregon. The snake usually has dark black or brown and creamy or white markings, but they are very variable in color and pattern. The most common morph has creamy white crossbands on a dark background, but some specimens of this general type appear to be generally light-coloured with darker patches. A second morph, particularly common around San Diego, has longitudinal stripes instead of lateral bands; the form of these is also quite variable.

California Kingsnakes grow to a length of up to 5 feet (1.5 metres) and weigh as much as 4 pounds (1.8 kilograms).

The diet of the California Kingsnake is similar to that of other Kingsnakes. Prey include lizards, birds, and other snakes. During shedding the snake may not eat, as it cannot capture prey easily due to greatly reduced vision caused by the buildup of an oily substance underneath the eye coverings (brille).

Kingsnakes get their name from their ophiophagus (snake-eating) diet. A kingsnake of any kind can eat any other snake of slightly less than its own size and smaller (assuming it can kill the other snake), even venomous snakes. Kingsnakes are resistant to the venom of various North American snake species.

Among members of the colubrid family, kingsnakes are the second most common species kept and bred in captivity. The most common colubrid kept and bred in captivity is the corn snake.