General Distribution
Scarce to abundant, the common kingsnake is found throughout California including Santa
Catalina Island off the southern coast. It is absent only from the high mountains of the Sierra
Nevada and from the extreme northwestern and northeastern portions of the state. Widely
distributed, and occurring in nearly all habitats (exclusive of high mountains), the common
kingsnake is most abundant in valley-foothill riparian situations and in other habitats occurring
in the vicinity of irrigated agriculture. Elevation sea level to 2100 m (7000 ft). Habitat Requirements
When inactive, kingsnakes seek cover in rodent burrows and under surface
objects such as flat rocks, logs, and boards. At montane localities with cold winters,
individuals hibernate in rodent burrows and in deep fissures in rock accumulations. Reproduction
Clutch sizes range from 2 to 12 (usually 9). Egg-laying usually occurs in
June or July after the mating season, which extends from March to June. Courtship in
kingsnakes is somewhat elaborate and in males involves neck-biting behavior (Leweke
1979). Eggs hatch in about 70 days. Daily/Seasonal Activity
Common kingsnakes may be active whenever temperatures are
favorable. During the cooler periods of spring and fall most activity occurs mid-day, but when
summer days are hot most activity is restricted to early morning, and late afternoon and early
evening. Winter inactivity occurs at all localities. Predictable seasonal movements have not been reported
for this species in California. It is possible that individuals from montane localities make
annual migrations to and from known hibernacula. Elsewhere individuals apparently spend
periods of winter inactivity in or near the area of their warm-season activity. Diet and Foraging
Kingsnakes feed on the ground, in mammal burrows, and under surface objects.
Primary foods appear to be lizards and snakes (rattlesnakes exhibit a distinctive defensive
postural response when in the presence of kingsnakes; see Carpenter and Gillingham 1975).
Large numbers of small rodents, birds, and bird eggs are also taken. Kingsnakes have also
been reported to swallow their own shed skins (Keown 1973). Territoriality/Home Range
The nature of the home range of this species in California is unknown.
No evidence for the territorial defense of resources has been reported for this
species in California. It is probable that males occasionally "fight" during the breeding
season. Male combat has been observed within the genus (Shaw 1951, Moehn 1967). Predator-Prey Relations
Because of their activity patterns and local abundance, common kingsnakes are
taken by a wide variety of predators (in spite of the release of a noxious musk from the
postanal glands of disturbed individuals). Predators include mammals, predatory birds,
especially hawks, and other snakes. Literature Cited
Carpenter, C. C., and J. C. Gillingham. 1975. Postural responses to kingsnakes by
crotaline snakes. Herpetologica 31:293-302.
Keown, G. L. 1973. A case of keratophagy in Lampropeltis getulus californiae (Blainville).
J. Herpetol. 7:312-315.
Leweke, R. E. 1979. Neck-biting and other aspects of reproductive biology of the Yuma
kingsnake (Lampropeltis getulus). Herpetologica 35:154-157.
Moehn, L. D. 1967. A combat dance between two prairie kingsnakes. Copeia 1967:480-
481.
Shaw, C. E. 1951. Male combat in American colubrid snakes with remarks on combat in
other colubrid and elapid snakes. Herpetologica 7:149-168.
Stebbins, R. C. 1954. Amphibians and reptiles of western North America. McGraw-Hill,
New York. 536pp.
Information gathered from California DFG - California Interagency Wildlife Task Group
