California mountain kingsnake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids California mountain kingsnake |
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| Lampropeltis zonata multicincta | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Lampropeltis
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| Species: |
zonata
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| Synonyms | |
The California mountain kingsnake (scientific name: Lampropeltis zonata) is a cool type of snake. It's a colubrid snake, which means it's part of a big family of snakes that are usually not venomous. This snake is completely harmless to humans.
It lives only in a specific part of North America. This snake is famous for looking a lot like the dangerous coral snake. It has bright bands of red, black, and yellow on its body. This trick helps it scare away predators, even though it's not venomous at all! There are different types, or subspecies, of this snake found in the U.S. and Mexico.
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Where Do California Mountain Kingsnakes Live?
The California mountain kingsnake lives only in western North America. You can find it in the Western United States and the northwest part of Mexico. Its home stretches from the very south of Washington state, through Oregon, and all over California. It also lives down into northern Baja California in Mexico.
Most of these snakes live in California. That's why it's called the California mountain kingsnake!
What Does a California Mountain Kingsnake Look Like?
California mountain kingsnakes have a very special pattern. Their bodies are covered in bands of red, black, and white. These colors always appear in the same order. Each red band is always surrounded by two black bands. This creates a pattern called a "triad."
A white band separates each triad from the next one. Sometimes, these separating bands might be cream or yellow instead of pure white. Some snakes might have less red color than others. Very rarely, a snake might have almost no red bands at all! There's even a group of these snakes on an island called Isla Todos Santos that only has black and white bands. They look similar to the California kingsnake.
Where Do California Mountain Kingsnakes Like to Live?
Just like their name says, California mountain kingsnakes mostly live in the mountains. They prefer the higher, cooler areas within their range.
Different Types of California Mountain Kingsnakes
Scientists recognize several different subspecies of the California mountain kingsnake. These are like different "versions" of the same snake, each with slight differences.
- Lampropeltis zonata multicincta
- Lampropeltis zonata multifasciata
- Lampropeltis zonata parvirubra
- Lampropeltis zonata pulchra
- Lampropeltis zonata zonata
- Lampropeltis zonata agalma
- Lampropeltis zonata herrerae
