California Kingsnake

California kingsnakes are known for their smooth, shiny scales. While their pattern can be variable, their most common pattern in the wild consists of alternating bands of black or brown and white or pale yellow. Their heads are barely wider than their neck and they rarely exceed 4 feet in length.

Since kingsnakes are active hunters, which means they seek their prey out intentionally, they have relatively long, thin bodies. Snakes that are ambush predators, such as rattlesnakes, tend to have shorter and thicker bodies.

California kingsnakes are found throughout California, Nevada, Utah, Oregon, Arizona, and northwestern Mexico. In California they are found in almost every type of habitat. This species is normally associated with rocky outcrops and chaparral, however they can also be found in pine forests, marshes, farmland, ranches, deserts, and even brushy suburban areas. Kingsnakes are beneficial for the ecosystem, helping not only to balance rodent populations, but also snake (especially rattlesnake) populations.

Kingsnakes have a varied diet and will prey on rodents, lizards, frogs, salamanders, birds, and eggs. Most famously, kingsnakes specialize in hunting other species of snake. This is where the name “king” comes from. Not only do they eat other snakes, they are also immune to most native snake venom, meaning they will readily eat rattlesnakes and coral snakes.

While California kingsnakes themselves are a nonvenomous species, they are powerful constrictors who will coil tightly around their prey. With each breath from the prey, the snake will tighten their hold to restrict blood flow. After some time, the hold becomes so tight that the prey suffocates. When constricting another snake, it is much harder to take hold of their prey’s long body. Instead, kingsnakes coil tightly around the heart region.

In colder months, these snakes are active during daylight hours. However, as the temperatures start to rise, they might start to show crepuscular tendencies, switching to be active at dawn or dusk.

California kingsnakes, like many other snakes, prefer to keep to themselves. When disturbed or threatened, they might vibrate their tails, hiss, and roll into a ball. They will hide their head and might secrete a strong musk odor to deter potential predators.

Mating will often take place within a few weeks of emerging from brumation (the reptile version of hibernation), though the exact timing can vary from habitat and location. Male California kingsnakes will engage in combat during this time, where they compete for food and territory.

The males will lie stretched out, with their bodies intertwined, each trying to get on top of the other to dominate. About 6 weeks after breeding, females lay an average of 8-10 eggs under foliage or logs and they leave the nest, never to return. Eggs will hatch another 6 weeks- 2 months later, depending on the local temperature (hatching sooner in warmer weather, and later in colder weather).

California kingsnakes are listed as Least Concern by the IUCN. Due to their tolerance of a wide range of habitats, it is presumed that their population is large and stable. This species is commonly kept as pets. However, it is always recommended to source captive-bred snakes through reptile rescues or reliable breeders, as taking them from the wild can be very harmful to their populations. Before getting a snake as a pet, always be sure to do proper research on care and husbandry to ensure that they will make the best pet for you.

• The kingsnake genus "Lampropeltis" means "shiny skin"- as kingsnakes in general have smooth scales.
• Kingsnakes are one of the strongest and mightiest predators in the snake world. They have been known to take down rat snakes up to 35% larger than they are and can squeeze with twice as much pressure as they do.
• Despite being native to the west coast, there is an invasive population of California kingsnakes on Gran Canaria Island, in the Canary Islands. It is not known whether this population was introduced intentionally or accidentally, but they do pose a threat to the native wildlife as there are no native snakes on the island.

Oakland Zoo currently has one California kingsnake in our education ambassador animal program. His name is Arroyo and is estimated to have hatched in 2014. In 2018, he joined the zoo from a private collection. He is suspected to have been wild caught, which poses many difficulties. Once removed from the wild, it becomes very difficult, and often impossible, to return reptiles to their rightful homes. Here at the zoo, he has found a second home amongst our animal ambassadors. Arroyo is a bright and memorable ambassador that has helped teach many guests about local snake species.

You can meet Arroyo during special Zoomobile, Wildlife Assembly, or ZooCamp programs. During these programs, kids can learn more about these animals and the habitats, adaptations, or other features that make them special. You might also get lucky on your next visit to the zoo and encounter him on a serendipitous Pathway Encounter or Wildlife Theater show.