The California mountain kingsnake (''Lampropeltis zonata'') is a species of nonvenomous colubrid snake that is endemic to North America. It is a coral snake mimic, having a similar pattern consisting of red, black, and yellow on its body, but the snake is completely harmless. Seven

subspecies In biological classification, subspecies is a rank below species, used for populations that live in different areas and vary in size, shape, or other physical characteristics (morphology), but that can successfully interbreed. Not all species ...

are recognized, with five found in the U.S., including the

nominotypical subspecies In biological classification, subspecies is a rank below species, used for populations that live in different areas and vary in size, shape, or other physical characteristics (morphology), but that can successfully interbreed. Not all species ...

, and two in Mexico.

Geographic range

The California mountain kingsnake is endemic to western North America. It ranges from extreme southern Washington state, where it has a disjunct population, through Oregon and California, to northern Baja California. The majority of its range lies within the state of California, which is the reason for its common name.

Description

California mountain kingsnakes have a banded pattern that consists of red, black, and white crossbands. The bands are always arranged in the same order with each red crossband being surrounded by two black crossbands, forming what is called a triad. Each triad is separated from the next triad by a white crossband, or in some examples by a cream or yellow crossband. Some individuals may have reduced amounts of red pigment, and rare individuals may have virtually no red bands at all. One population from

Isla Todos Santos Isla Todos Santos is a pair of islands about off Ensenada, Baja California, at best known for surfing. Access is only by boat, which can be rented in Ensenada, or La Bufadora. The waves off the smallest island are among the biggest in North ...

always lacks the red crossbands and is instead uniformly banded with black and white, similar in appearance to the related

California kingsnake The California kingsnake (''Lampropeltis californiae'') is a nonvenomous colubrid snake endemic to the western United States and northern Mexico, and is found in a variety of habitats. Due to ease of care and a wide range of color variations, the ...

Habitat

As its common name suggests, the California mountain kingsnake is found mostly in the mountains within its geographic range.

Subspecies

The following subspecies are recognized: *'' Lampropeltis zonata multicincta'' ( Yarrow, 1882) *'' Lampropeltis zonata multifasciata'' ( Bocourt, 1886) *'' Lampropeltis zonata parvirubra'' Zweifel, 1952 *'' Lampropeltis zonata pulchra'' Zweifel, 1952 *'' Lampropeltis zonata zonata'' (Lockington, 1876 ''ex'' Blainville, 1835) *'' Lampropeltis zonata agalma'' (Van Denburgh & Slevin, 1923) *'' Lampropeltis zonata herrerae'' (Van Denburgh & Slevin, 1923)

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q2716258 Lampropeltis Reptiles of Mexico Reptiles of the United States Fauna of California Reptiles described in 1835