Lampropeltis californiae California Kingsnake
near Mara Oasis, Joshua Tree National Park, San Bernardino County, CaliforniaJune 19, 1998
California Kingsnake (Lampropeltis californiae)
We watched this snake by flashlight for quite awhile as it explored the bushes and rocks near the side of the road. It seemed completely disinterested in the four of us watching it, even when it tasted our shoes with its tongue.
Fort Ord Public Lands, Monterey County, CaliforniaMay 25, 2001
California Kingsnake (Lampropeltis californiae) California Kingsnake (Lampropeltis californiae)
I set out this day hoping to find an adult Blainville's Horned Lizard, following directions from a correspondent who had recently seen one there. I saw no horned lizards, but I found three adult kingsnakes instead. One (not pictured here) was slithering across the trail into bushes; another (first picture above) was foraging around a partly collapsed abandoned building; the last (second picture above) was slooooowly making its way across an open field. Kingsnake bonanza!
Los Padres National Forest, San Luis Obispo County, CaliforniaApril 26, 2003
California Kingsnake (Lampropeltis californiae)
This large kingsnake was coiled up tightly just off the Cerro Alto trail. It was perhaps six feet long, but I didn't disturb its beauty rest for a measurement.
Borrego Springs, San Diego County, CaliforniaJune 19, 2012
California Kingsnake (Lampropeltis californiae)
I hadn't seen a king snake in a while, so it was nice to find this youngster shortly after dark.
West of Parque Nacional Sierra de San Pedro Mártir, Baja California, MexicoMay 15, 2013
California Kingsnake (Lampropeltis californiae) California Kingsnake (Lampropeltis californiae) California Kingsnake (Lampropeltis californiae)
This beautiful snake was stretched out across the pavement in the late afternoon as we headed down the hill to our scheduled dinner time at Meling Ranch. We had left sufficient room in our schedule to fit in a nice snaky photo session without being late for dinner.
Fort Ord Public Lands, Monterey County, CaliforniaMay 15, 2014
California Kingsnake (Lampropeltis californiae)
I hadn't seen a kingsnake at Fort Ord in several years, so it was nice to come across this handsome young snake on a sandy trail.
Pima County, ArizonaAugust 25, 2016
California Kingsnake (Lampropeltis californiae)
This little guy looks pretty much exactly the same as a young Desert Kingsnake. According to range it should be a California Kingsnake, but some people reasonably disagree with the idea that these are distinct species anyway.
near Ranchita, San Diego County, CaliforniaAugust 26, 2016
California Kingsnake (Lampropeltis californiae)
Hey look, a kingsnake that sat still for a few minutes!
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