posted by admin on Jul 1
California King Snakes are found throughout the western states but as their name would suggest they are most common in California. Most people know these snakes as being black and white banded but they can vary widely in color and pattern from the high contrast black and white through to a milk chocolate color with cream bands. They can also be striped or blotchy instead of banded. Regardless of their coloring, they are able to blend into the shadows of grasses and plants very well because their color/pattern breaks up their visual outline.
California King Snakes prefer a relatively dry climate but are highly adaptable to various types of habitat including deserts, forests, and grasslands. They are generally diurnal but will avoid the hottest part of the day during the summer by hiding under rocks and logs in mammal burrows. California King Snakes are becoming rarer as the spread of human habitation encroaches on their environment.
In the wild, these snakes will eat other snakes, lizards, and rodents. They are at least partially immune to rattlesnake venom so they can include them in their diet.
We have one California King Snake at Tree Frog Treks named Percy. Percy is approximately 5 years old. (See image above)
Leave a Reply