This morning I went out to take Drew to school and found this in the middle of the street! Gracie and I looked it up and determined it to be a California Mountain Kingsnake. Below are some details for those who are nature buffs like us. BTW - it was seriously dead! Especially after a car ran over it while I was waiting to take a pic!
Range and Habitat
California Mountain Kingsnakes are found in the western U.S. from the Columbia River area of Washington State in the north, to northern Baja California, México in the south. They are found in mountainous areas throughout their range, such as the Sierra Nevadas, Coast Ranges, Transverse Ranges, and high Peninsular Ranges of California and Baja California. Within the Peninsular Ranges, this species is found at the higher elevations of the Santa Anas, Santa Rosas, Palomar Mountain, Lagunas, Juarez, and San Pedro Martirs.
This snake inhabits moist woods from sea level to extremely high elevations. In the southern portion of their range, the California Mountain Kingsnake is not found near the coast, instead preferring coniferous forests and woodlands above 3,000 feet. This species appears to prefer rocky areas, but also is found beneath logs and under bark.
Natural History
California Mountain Kingsnakes are found in the western U.S. from the Columbia River area of Washington State in the north, to northern Baja California, México in the south. They are found in mountainous areas throughout their range, such as the Sierra Nevadas, Coast Ranges, Transverse Ranges, and high Peninsular Ranges of California and Baja California. Within the Peninsular Ranges, this species is found at the higher elevations of the Santa Anas, Santa Rosas, Palomar Mountain, Lagunas, Juarez, and San Pedro Martirs.
This snake inhabits moist woods from sea level to extremely high elevations. In the southern portion of their range, the California Mountain Kingsnake is not found near the coast, instead preferring coniferous forests and woodlands above 3,000 feet. This species appears to prefer rocky areas, but also is found beneath logs and under bark.
Natural History
This species is an obvious mimic of the coral snake. It is non-venomous and often mistaken as a dangerous snake. Interestingly, there are no coral snakes overlapping the range of the California Mountain Kingsnake in the present day. The evolution of color pattern mimicry occurred in the past when its ancestors' distribution overlapped the distribution of coral snakes.
Behavior:
Behavior:
This species is mostly diurnal, but will be active at night in warmer whether. It is an excellent climber, prefers southwestern facing slopes, and often retreats beneath granite flakes.
Prey and Predators:
Prey and Predators:
Will eat lizards, snakes, birds and their eggs, and small mammals.
Breeding:
Breeding:
This species lays 3 to 13 eggs in June and July
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