What is an Arizona King Snake - Southwest Explorers

Arizona King Snake

Arizona Kingsnake is a harmless and slender snake found in the Sonoran Desert.

They are also known as black Kingsnake, desert Kingsnake, and California Kingsnake.

The kingsnake belongs to the same family as the milk snake.

There are about 45 subspecies of the Kingsnake.

They roll into a ball with their head placed within the coils when they are captured or in danger.

During winter and late fall, they hibernate.

They are active at daytime during the early summer months. However, they are active at night during the hot summer.

The Arizona king snake belongs to the family “Colubridae” and its scientific name is Lampropeltis getula.

Scientific Classification of Arizona Kingsnake

The king Snake measures up to 56 inches.

They are large and have markings that vary based on where they are found.

The base coloration is dark brown.

The pupils are round.

They also have smooth and shiny scales.

Southeastern Arizona kingsnake has yellow speckles on the sides with a thin yellow band across the back.

They also have bold patterns on their skin.

They make use of a constrictor to kill their prey.

Their Prey includes rats, mice, amphibians, birds, reptile eggs, and small turtles.

They also feed on other snakes including venomous snakes

The Arizona King Snake Reproduces during spring. In late spring, a clutch of up to 24 eggs is laid and hatchlings start coming out in August.

They thrive majorly in areas near water such as large drainages and grasslands.

They can be found in biotic communities starting from the desert scrubs to Great Basin Conifer Woodland.

The Kingsnakes are rarely seen in Arizona’s high mountains and the high elevations of Mogollon Rim country.

A. T. Holycross and Brennan, T. C. 2006. A Field Guide to Amphibians and Reptiles in Arizona.