Snakes

California Mountain Kingsnake

Lampropeltis zonata

Across the regions where it's common, the California Mountain Kingsnake peaks from April to July.

Shows up in 3 ecoregions and 1 state

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Snakes

California Mountain Kingsnake

Lampropeltis zonata

Look, don't take. Many states regulate collecting reptiles and amphibians. Photograph it, log it on iNaturalist and leave it where you found it.

Description

The California mountain kingsnake (Lampropeltis zonata) is a species of nonvenomous colubrid snake that is endemic to North America. California mountain kingsnakes have a banded pattern that consists of red, black, and white crossbands.Wikipedia ↗

Habitat

The California mountain kingsnake is endemic to western North America. Seven subspecies are recognized, with five found in the U.S., including the nominotypical subspecies, and two in Mexico.Wikipedia ↗

When it's active

Little information is known regarding courtship behavior or mating systems for this species. Lampropeltis zonata typically breeds from April through early June, usually soon after emergence in the spring, although copulation by captives has taken place as early as March.Animal Diversity Web ↗

California Mountain Kingsnake — Ken-ichi Ueda · CC BY 4.0

iNaturalist ↗

Often mistaken for

Eastern Coralsnake, Texas Coralsnake, Sonoran CoralsnakeScarlet kingsnakes have a tricolored pattern of black, red, white, and various shades of yellow bands that appear to mimic the venomous coral snake in a form of Batesian mimicry. Wikipedia ↗Some milk snakes have a striking resemblance to coral snakes, in Batesian mimicry, which likely scares away potential predators. Wikipedia ↗Coral snakes vs. kingsnakes, milksnakes and scarlet snakes →

When and where it's active

Each row is its own calendar, counted from records in that area. Seasons shift by place.

PeakShoulderQuiet

Ecoregions

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Sierra Nevada Klamath Mountains California Coast Ranges and Foothills

States

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

California

About the California Mountain Kingsnake

When is the California Mountain Kingsnake most active?

Across the regions where it's common, the California Mountain Kingsnake peaks from April to July.

Where does the California Mountain Kingsnake live?

It has enough records to show in 3 ecoregions and 1 states, including California.

What does the California Mountain Kingsnake look like?

It's often confused with the Eastern Coralsnake, Texas Coralsnake, and Sonoran Coralsnake.