California kingsnake

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California kingsnake
California Kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula californiae).JPG
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Genus: Lampropeltis
Species:
L. californiae
Binomial name
Lampropeltis californiae
(Blainville, 1835) [1]
Synonyms
  • Coluber (Ophis) californiaeBlainville, 1835
  • Lampropeltis californiae
    Van Denburgh, 1897
  • Ophibolus getulus californiae
    Cope, 1900

The California kingsnake (Lampropeltis californiae) is a nonvenomous colubrid snake endemic to the western United States and northern Mexico, and is found in a variety of habitats. Due to ease of care and a wide range of color variations, the California kingsnake is one of the most popular snakes in captivity.

Contents

Description

Wild California kingsnakes are typically encountered at a length of 2.5-3.5 feet (76 - 107cm), though they can grow larger; California kingsnakes on Isla Ángel de la Guarda, Baja California, Mexico, have been documented growing to 78 inches (2 m). [2] [3] [4] A wide range of color morphs exist in the wild; they are usually found with alternating dark and light bands ranging in color from black and white to brown and cream. [4] [5] Some populations may have longitudinal stripes instead of bands. [5] Most California kingsnakes live to be around ten to fifteen years old, even surpassing twenty if well cared for in captivity. [6]

California kingsnakes stripes and bands are essential to their survival as the patterns camouflage the snakes body to hide from predators. Their predators include hawks, eagles, coyotes, skunks, foxes, bobcats, and other kingsnakes. [7]

Range and habitat

The California kingsnake is widespread along the West Coast of North America to elevations of approximately 6,100 ft (1,900 m) in the Tehachapi Mountains and to over 7,000 ft (2,100 m) in the southeastern Sierra Nevada Mountains. This species lives in a wide variety of habitats, including woodland chaparral, grassland, deserts, marshes, and even suburban areas. [2] These snakes live in Oregon, California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, southwestern Colorado, northwestern New Mexico, and northwestern Mexico. [2] These snakes thrive in the temperatures between 80-84°F and a humidity around 35-60%. The optimal environment can differ depending on the biological state of the snake. For instance, during reproduction they prefer even warmer temperatures, and in the process of shedding, they prefer higher humidity. [8] In Arizona, they intergrade with the desert kingsnake (Lampropeltis splendida) and the Mexican black kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula nigrita). The species has also become invasive on the Spanish island of Gran Canaria. [9]

Behavior

The striped variant, found in San Diego county. Lampropeltis getula californiae 3yrold.jpg
The striped variant, found in San Diego county.

The California kingsnake is a cathemeral species of snake; they may be active day or night depending on ambient temperatures. [5] [10] When disturbed, California kingsnakes will often coil their bodies into a ball [11] to hide their heads, hiss, and rattle their tails, which can produce a sound somewhat resembling that of a rattlesnake. When they are nervous they tend to twitch their tails. [12] They are considered harmless to humans, but if handled it is common for this species to bite, as well as excrete musk and fecal contents from their cloaca. [13] It is also common for this musky odor to be excreted when the snake feels threatened. [14] California kingsnakes are considered to be more solitary animals, but when mating season or brumation is in process, they will group together. [15]

California Kingsnakes, along with other reptiles and amphibians in winter months brumate, as a means of conserving energy and to regulate body temperatures during cold temperatures. [16] During brumation, California king snakes neither eat nor excrete feces, but they will occasionally awake to drink water. [17] Also in efforts to regulate body temperatures, California kingsnakes tend to burrow underneath vegetation or other coverings to cool down, and bask in the sun to increase their internal temperatures. [18]

Diet

California kingsnakes are opportunistic feeders and common food items include rodents, birds, other reptiles and amphibians. The "king" in their name refers to their propensity to hunt and eat other snakes, including venomous rattlesnakes; California kingsnakes are naturally resistant to the venom of rattlesnakes. [2] California kingsnakes are non-venomous and kill prey by constriction; they are the strongest constrictors proportionate to body size of any snakes. This adaptation may have evolved in response to the kingsnake's preferred reptilian prey, which needs less oxygen to survive an attack by constriction than mammalian prey items. [19]

Reproduction

The California kingsnake is an oviparous internal fertilization animal, meaning it lays eggs, as opposed to giving live birth like some other snakes. Courtship for this kingsnake begins in the spring usually sometime after their hibernation or first shedding [2] and involves the males competing for available females. In order to assert dominance when fighting another male, the California Kingsnake will get onto the other male and proceed biting the other snake. [4] Their mating ritual begins by the male snake vibrating uncontrollably. Eggs are laid between May and August, which is generally 42–63 days after mating; [1] in preparation the female will have chosen a suitable location. The typical clutch size is five to 12 eggs with an average of nine, [1] though clutches of 20 or more eggs are known. The hatchlings usually emerge another 40–65 days later and are approximately eight to 13 inches in length. [1] Newly hatched kingsnakes stay in their nest for about one week, before shedding their first coat of skin and eventually leaving the nest. [16] Adult California kingsnakes are most commonly 2.5–3.5 feet in length, and rarely exceed four feet. [20]

In captivity

A captive-bred Lavender morph of the California kingsnake Serpent-Roi de Californie lavande Ile aux Serpents 17 11 08.jpg
A captive-bred Lavender morph of the California kingsnake

The California kingsnake is one of the most popular pet reptiles due to its ease of care, attractive appearance and docile demeanor. [1] [21] Due to natural color and pattern variability between individual snakes, snake enthusiasts have selectively bred for a variety of color patterns known as "morphs". [22] Wild-type California kingsnakes are technically illegal to sell without special permits in their home state of California. These increased restrictions are due to a law that prohibits sale of native California species within state lines; albino morphs are exempt from this law. [23] The law is loosely enforced.[ citation needed ]

In the wild, kingsnakes are able to thermoregulate, migrating to warmer areas if needed due to their cold bloodedness. However, in captivity, kingsnakes are not able to freely change locations so most owners use heat lamps, heating pads, and regulate temperatures in their homes to ensure the health of the kingsnake. Temperatures between 70°F and 85°F are adequate for kingsnakes in captivity. [24]

Two-headed Snake

Picture of a California Kingsnake with two heads Two-Headed California Kingsnake.jpg
Picture of a California Kingsnake with two heads

A two-headed California kingsnake raised to the age of seventeen at the Arizona State University reptile collection has gained some notoriety as a rare example of serpentine polycephaly. It was born in the wild within the vicinity of the South Mountain Park and Reserve in Arizona, until it was discovered beneath the toilet seat of a public restroom in the foothills of the park and relocated to ASU. This mutation was most likely the case of failed cell division during the process of producing twins. [25]

Related Research Articles

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The corn snake, sometimes called red rat snake, is a species of North American rat snake in the family Colubridae. The species subdues its small prey by constriction. It is found throughout the southeastern and central United States. Though superficially resembling the venomous copperhead and often killed as a result of this mistaken identity, the corn snake lacks functional venom and is harmless. The corn snake is beneficial to humans because it helps to control populations of wild rodent pests that damage crops and spread disease.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Milk snake</span> Species of snake

The milk snake or milksnake, is a species of kingsnake; 24 subspecies are currently recognized. Lampropeltis elapsoides, the scarlet kingsnake, was formerly classified as a 25th subspecies, but is now recognized as a distinct species. The subspecies have strikingly different appearances, and many of them have their own common names. Some authorities suggest that this species could be split into several separate species. They are not venomous to humans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kingsnake</span> Genus of snakes

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rattlesnake</span> Group of venomous snakes of the genera Crotalus and Sistrurus

Rattlesnakes are venomous snakes that form the genera Crotalus and Sistrurus of the subfamily Crotalinae. All rattlesnakes are vipers. Rattlesnakes are predators that live in a wide array of habitats, hunting small animals such as birds and rodents.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Desert kingsnake</span> Species of snake

The desert kingsnake is a species of kingsnake native to Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico, United States. It is not venomous, colored yellow and black. The desert kingsnake's diet consists of rodents, lizards, and smaller snakes, including rattlesnakes. They normally grow 3–4 ft long, but have been known to grow up to 6.8 ft. They are docile creatures when confronted by humans. If they do not try to escape, often they "play dead" by flipping over onto their backs and lying motionless. Some who domesticate kingsnakes, such as ranchers, do so in the hopes that the kingsnakes will feed on other snakes, which might present more of a threat. It was previously considered a subspecies of the common kingsnake. The desert kingsnake belongs to the Colubridae family, which is the largest family of snakes in the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gray-banded kingsnake</span> Species of snake

The gray-banded kingsnake, sometimes referred to as the alterna or the Davis Mountain king snake, is a species of nonvenomous snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to the southwestern United States and adjacent Mexico. Some sources list two distinct subspecies of Lampropeltis alterna, as L. a. alterna and L. a. blairi differentiated by patterning and locale, but research has shown them to be color morphs of the same species.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Speckled kingsnake</span> Species of snake

The speckled kingsnake is a nonvenomous species of kingsnake. It is endemic to the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pueblan milk snake</span> Subspecies of snake

Lampropeltis triangulum campbelli, commonly known as the Pueblan milk snake or Campbell's milk snake, is an egg-laying subspecies of non-venomous colubrid snake. It is commonly bred in captivity and is found in several color variations. When handled, it can discharge a pungent-smelling exudate from its cloaca as a presumed defense mechanism.

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Lampropeltis calligaster is a species of kingsnake known commonly as the prairie kingsnake or yellow-bellied kingsnake.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mexican black kingsnake</span> Subspecies of snake

The Mexican black kingsnake is part of the larger colubrid family of snakes, and a subspecies of the common kingsnake, which is debated by herpetologists to contain as many as 10 unique varieties. This species occupy rocky areas and places lush with vegetation in various regions of the Sonoran Desert, Northwestern Sinaloa, Mexico, and small parts of Arizona.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sinaloan milk snake</span> Subspecies of snake

Lampropeltis triangulum sinaloae, commonly known as the Sinaloan milk snake, is an egg-laying subspecies of nonvenomous colubrid snake. It is one of the most commonly bred milk snakes in captivity. It is a fairly docile subspecies and will rarely bite. However, if handled, it may discharge a pungent smelling exudate from the cloaca as a warning. The Sinaloan milk snake inhabits the rocky and semi-arid drylands of southwestern Sonora, Sinaloa, and southwestern Chihuahua (Mexico).

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<i>Lampropeltis getula</i> Species of snake

Lampropeltis getula, commonly known as the eastern kingsnake, common kingsnake, or chain kingsnake, is a harmless colubrid species endemic to the United States and Mexico. It has long been a favorite among collectors. Nine subspecies are currently recognized, including the nominate subspecies described here.

<i>Lampropeltis getula meansi</i> Subspecies of snake

The Apalachicola kingsnake is a subspecies of nonvenomous colubrid snake found in a small area of the Florida Panhandle known as the Apalachicola Lowlands. Long argued as to whether or not it is a subspecies, the Apalachicola kingsnake was formerly named Lampropeltis getula goini. After years of research and many more specimens examined, in 2006, it was renamed to L. g. meansi after D. Bruce Means, in recognition of his work on this subspecies.

<i>Lampropeltis rhombomaculata</i> Subspecies of snake

Lampropeltis rhombomaculata, commonly known as the mole kingsnake or the brown kingsnake, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. It is a relatively medium-sized snake that occupies a variety of habitats from Baltimore, Maryland, south through the Florida Panhandle and west into Mississippi and Tennessee.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Florida kingsnake</span> Subspecies of snake

Lampropeltis getula floridana or the Florida kingsnake is a snake subspecies native to southern Florida. On average, they grow between 3.5–5 ft but 6 ft individuals have been recorded.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eastern milk snake</span> Subspecies of snake

Lampropeltis triangulum triangulum, commonly known as the eastern milk snake or eastern milksnake, is a subspecies of the milk snake. The nonvenomous, colubrid snake is indigenous to eastern and central North America.

<i>Lampropeltis ruthveni</i> Species of snake

Lampropeltis ruthveni is a species of kingsnake in the family Colubridae. The species was described by Frank N. Blanchard in 1920 and named after American herpetologist Alexander Grant Ruthven. It is endemic to Mexico.

References

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