13.2. Lampropeltis gentulus californiae: California King Snake http://www.ck12.org
Ecology
The kingsnake’s diet is mostly rodents, lizards, and smaller snakes. The California kingsnake is called “kingsnake”
because it hunts other snakes. The kingsnake’s predators are hawks, owls, coyotes, possums, and skunks.
Anatomy and Physiology
The California kingsnake lays eggs, and the babies leave when they are one week old. The kingsnake, like other
snakes, has a forked tongue he uses for smelling the air. The kingsnakes are mature when they are one to four years
old. The California kingsnake, like other snakes, has no eyelid. The California kingsnake has strong scales for many
reasons, and one reason is for protection. The California kingsnake has no hips, arms, legs, or shoulders, and the
California kingsnake’s ribs do not extend into the tail.
Behavior
When the weather is hot or too cold, the kingsnake goes underground to get shade or to stay warm. When it comes
to hunting, the kingsnake can be very aggressive. The kingsnake attacks his prey by wrapping around them and
squeezing until they die.
References
- Alden, Peter. National Audubon Society Field Guide to California. New York: Knopf, 1998. Print.
- http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Lampropeltis_getula/
- http://eol.org/pages/1280648/overview
- http://naturebytesvideo.com/
- http://www.ck12.org/biology/Reptile-Evolution/lesson/Reptile-Evolution/
- http://www.natureserve.org/
- Klevansky, Rhonda. 1000 Fascinating Animal Facts. London: Lorenz, 2008. Print.
Attribution
Authors
- Robert Khatchatryan
- Andoni Sanguesa
Supervising Faculty
- Amy Huff Shah
Affiliation
- Museum School, San Diego, California