(Lampro = shiny; peltis = shields)
The California King Snake is a member of the family Colubridae family and is found in many of the western states of the U.S. as well as in northern Mexico. It's non-venomous and poses little risk to humans.
The California King Snake is found throughout California, except the damp redwood zone of the northwest coast and the northeast corner. It also ranges into parts of Oregon, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Mexico, and Baja California. It is found in a wide variety of habitats: forests, woodlands, grasslands, marshes, farmlands, ranches, deserts, and even brushy suburban areas.
Characteristics: The California King Snake can grow from 2.5 feet all the way to four feet, it has smooth, shiny scales that can be ringed, striped, or spotted. There are two types of patterns, one with the stripes going across the body and the other with a stripe going down the body from the head to the tail. The California king snake is diurnal which means active during the daytime but when it's hot they become nocturnal which means active at night.
Reproduction: California King Snakes reach sexual maturity at 3 to 4 years of age. Mating occurs between the months of May and August and female snakes can lay anywhere from 2 to 24 eggs. Hatchlings are about 12 inches when born and are completely on their own after birth.
Diet: In the wild, California Kingsnakes eat other snakes including venomous snakes, mice, birds, and lizards. In the zoo, they eat mice.
Diet in captivity: California Kingsnakes should be fed at least 1 or 2 adult mice a week to stay strong and healthy.
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