Different Kinds of Venomous Snakes in Mississippi. Adults generally range in length from 1 to 1.5 metres (3.3 to 5 feet), but some have grown to 2.1 metres. These snakes inhabit northern Baja California all the way north to Washington, but don’t expect to spot one on a hike. Six of these nine Kingsnake species have their own subspecies, making the … Feedback Type. Christina Stephens is a writer from Portland, Ore. whose main areas of focus are pets and animals, travel and literature. Though these snakes prefer to spend most of their time on the ground, they’re skilled climbers and sometimes end up high in trees or boulders. For example, the farther west one goes in th… Thank you for your feedback. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. As carnivores, their main diet includes rodents, lizards and even other snakes. King snake, (genus Lampropeltis), any of seven species of moderate- to large-sized terrestrial snakes found from southeastern Canada to Ecuador. A veterinary assistant, she taught English in South Korea and holds a BA in English with cum laude honors from Portland State University. These diurnal beauties live in the higher elevations and mountain ranges in Arizona, though they’ve also been spotted in valleys and grasslands. The prairie kingsnake (Lampropeltis calligaster) is a bit larger than its cousins and generally measures at least 4 feet long. They come in hues of red, yellow, orange, tan and white, with stripes, speckles, spots and patches. The prairie kingsnake prefers warm weather and even hibernates during the winter, though it is known to pop out on sunny winter days. Alternating red, black and white bands, and a cream-colored snout distinguish the Sonoran mountain kingsnake (Lampropeltis pyromelana) from other kingsnakes. Tinseltown, Silicon Valley, and having the distinction of being the fifth-largest economy in the world. Shape The World. Your Feedback. As far as reptile… They prefer to make their homes in warm desert flats, hills, canyons and ridges. Their smooth, well-defined scales come in a range of colors from black to light grey, and even red and yellow. All of the kingsnake species in the genus Lampropeltis, derived from the Greek words for “shiny” and “shield," are nonvenomous and make popular pets. PART OF WILD SKY MEDIA | FAMILY & PARENTING, Melissa Kaplan’s Herp Care Collection: Kingsnakes and Milksnakes, Wildlife North America: Mexican Kingsnake (Lampropeltis mexicana mexicana), California Herps: Lampropeltis zonata – California Mountain Kingsnake, Reptiles of Arizona: Sonoran Mountain Kingsnake. Most species of kingsnake have vibrant patterns on their skins with vivid contrasting colors. These snakes typically grow between 2 and 4 feet long, and are adaptable to many environments; they’re found in deserts, wetlands, valleys and estuaries throughout the United States, and northern and central Mexico. Kingsnake species and subspecies include (listed here alphabetically by specific and subspecific name): The Mexican kingsnake (Lampropeltis mexicana mexicana) prefers the semi-arid brush and sandy soil of northeastern Mexico and southwestern Texas. Which State Has the Most Poisonous Reptile Species? The patterns, especially bands and speckles, break up the snake's body outline so it is less visible to predators like birds of prey, mammals like foxes and coyotes and other snakes, according to the San Diego Zoo. The California mountain kingsnake (Lampropeltis zonata) often is mistaken for the poisonous Arizona coral snake. Be Her Village. California is known for many things. There are currently nine recognized species of Kingsnake. Submit Feedback. Common kingsnakes (Lampropeltis getula) look anything but drab and common. These nocturnal kingsnakes are less vibrantly colored than their counterparts: they’re usually mottled gray, brown, red and black. Dangerous Snakes & Spiders Native to Louisiana, Facts About North Carolina Timber Rattlesnakes. Gray-Banded Kingsnakes. These include the Texas Gray-banded Kingsnake, Prairie Kingsnake, Common Kingsnake, Mexican Gray-banded Kingsnake, AKA San Luis Potosi Kingsnake, Arizona Mountain Kingsnake, Ruthvens Kingsnake, Milksnake, Sinaloan Mountain Kingsnake, and the California Mountain Kingsnake. The two look strikingly similar; however, a thin black ring always will separate the California mountain kingsnake’s small yellow and thick red bands. Gray-banded kingsnakes (Lampropeltis alterna) live in a localized region of the southwestern United States (Texas and New Mexico) and northern Mexico. Empower Her. Moderately sized, docile and found throughout North America, kingsnakes are divided into 6 distinct species. The California kingsnake has thick, dark bands with a cream color in between, while the scarlet kingsnake features broad red and yellow rings always separated by black bands. Gray-banded kingsnakes (Lampropeltis alterna) live in a localized region … They’re elusive snakes and spend most of the day under rocks or even underground. Similar in size to common kingsnakes (2 to 4 feet long), these constrictors always have a gray background and multicolored bands. Their coloring can be understood by their geographic location, according to Savitzky. What Kinds of Lizards Live in California? © 2020 WILD SKY MEDIA. The exact coloring and pattern depends on the subspecies. These brown, gray, tan and olive snakes patrol the fields and prairies of the southern United States from the Atlantic coast to Texas.