What Is a California Kingsnake?
A California kingsnake is a reptile indigenous to California, Arizona and Nevada along with areas of northern Mexico. The proper name is Lampropeltis getula californiae. This non-venomous snake is a member of the Colubridae family and is a subspecies of the common kingsnake. California kingsnakes are typically black along the belly with thin white bands along their back. A full grown specimen can grow up to 5 feet (1.5 m) long and females are often larger than males. The scales are smooth and their body averages 5 inches (12.7 cm) in diameter. Though this size and coloring is typical, these types of snakes also may have color and pattern variations based on the region where they live. Some regional California kingsnakes include the Newport Long Beach striped, San Diego striped, Delta striped, Eiseni striped, and Nitida striped. Each geographic area is home to a slightly different pattern of stripes that makes it easy to track the snake’s origin. Variations in pattern or color also freq
