Scientific classification:
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Genus: Lampropeltis
Species: L. California
The California kingsnake is a nonvenomous snake native to the western United States and northern Mexico. It's a popular pet because it's easy to care for and comes in many different colors.
These snakes are usually 2.5 to 3.5 feet long but can grow larger. They have stripes or bands in colors like black and white or brown and cream. Some may have stripes instead of bands. They live about ten to fifteen years but can live over twenty years in captivity.
The stripes and bands help them hide from predators like hawks, eagles, and coyotes.
California kingsnakes live along the West Coast of North America in places like woodlands, grasslands, deserts, marshes, and even suburban areas. They are found in states like Oregon, California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico. They prefer temperatures between 80-84°F and humidity levels around 35-60%.
These snakes can be active day or night, depending on the temperature. When threatened, they coil into a ball, hiss, and rattle their tails to mimic a rattlesnake. They are generally harmless to humans but might bite and release a smelly musk if handled.
During the colder months, they brumate, which is like hibernation, to save energy. They don't eat but might wake up to drink water. They burrow under vegetation to cool down and bask in the sun to warm up.
California kingsnakes eat rodents, birds, other reptiles, and amphibians. They are known for eating other snakes, including venomous rattlesnakes. They are immune to rattlesnake venom and kill their prey by squeezing them.
These snakes lay eggs. Mating happens in the spring after hibernation. Females lay 5 to 12 eggs between May and August, and the eggs hatch 40–65 days later. Hatchlings are about 8 to 13 inches long and leave the nest after a week.
California kingsnakes are popular pets because they are easy to care for and have attractive patterns. There are many color variations bred by snake enthusiasts. Wild-type kingsnakes are illegal to sell in California without special permits, but albino ones are allowed.
In captivity, they need heat lamps or heating pads to stay warm. The ideal temperature range for them is between 70°F and 85°F.
A rare two-headed California kingsnake lived to be seventeen years old at Arizona State University. It was found under a toilet seat in a public restroom near South Mountain Park and was moved to the university.
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