Alternate Name(s):

Venom Status:

Non Venomous

Characteristics:

This, like other kingsnakes, is immune to the venom of pit vipers. Adult at 3 to 4 ½ feet long. Ground color may be dark brown or black and the pattern may consist of wide white crossbars that widen as they near the belly or a white vertebral stripe that may be entire or broken. There are usually white spots on dark scales or entire white scales on a few of the lowermost scale rows associated with the striped form. Smooth scales. Oviparous. Hatchlings are similar to the adults.

Unique Features:

Variable but white cross bars or stripes against a ground color of dark brown or black are the normal colors.

Habitat and Diet:

This snake may be found in a wide variety of habitats, from backyards to open desert. Prey of this powerful constrictor includes small mammals, birds, lizards, hatchling turtles, snakes including venomous species.

Geographic Range:

CA, OR