Lampropeltis zonata

The species' range extends from southwestern Oregon, south along coastal and interior mountains of California in the United States, to northern Baja California, Mexico (Sierra Juarez, Sierra San Pedro Martir), with isolated populations in south-central Washington and apparently also adjacent northern Oregon, from near sea level to about 2,750 m asl (9,000 feet) (Stebbins 2003).

The species is endemic to the southern island of Isla Todos Santos, on the Pacific coast of Baja California, Mexico.

Lampropeltis zonata, or California mountain kingsnakes, range from an isolated population in south-central Washington and adjacent northern Oregon, to southwestern Oregon, south along the coastal and interior mountains of California in the United States, to northern Baja California, Mexico. It is also present in numerous scattered populations within its Californian range.

Biogeographic Regions: nearctic (Native )

occurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations

United States

Origin: Native

Regularity: Regularly occurring

Currently: Present

Confidence: Confident

Type of Residency: Year-round

Global Range: (20,000-200,000 square km (about 8000-80,000 square miles)) The range extends from southwestern Oregon south along coastal and interior mountains of California to northern Baja California (Sierra Juarez, Sierra San Pedro Martir), with isolated populations in south-central Washington and apparently also adjacent northern Oregon, from near sea level to about 2,750 meters (9,000 feet) (Stebbins 2003). The population on the southern island of Isla Todos Santos, Baja California, was treated as a distinct species, L. herrerae, by Grismer (2002).

Continent: Middle-America North-America
Distribution: USA (Oregon, Washington, California),  Mexico (Baja California Norte)  multicincta: Washington

Lampropeltis zonata can reach a total body length of 122.5 cm, although most are shorter than 100 cm long. There are 21 to 23 dorsal body scale rows at mid-body. The scales are smooth and unkeeled. The venter has 194 to 227 ventrals, 45 to 62 subcaudals, and an undivided anal plate. Each maxilla on this snake has 11 to 13 teeth.

Males have 45 to 62 subcaudals and tail lengths that average 18.2% of total body length, while females have 46 to 56 subcaudals and tail lengths averaging 17.5% of total body length. Other than these differences, sexes are hard to distinguish superficially.

The slender, cylindrical body of this snake is patterned with black, white (or occasionally yellow), and red bands, with the red bands always bordered by black bands on both sides. The black and red bands generally extend onto the white venter, which may be speckled with black marks posteriorly. The dorsal side of the head is black, but the chin and throat are often white. The first band after the black head is white.

There are seven described subspecies, of which five occur north of Mexico. Pattern variation exists especially for the red bands, which may be interrupted dorsally to form a wedge-shaped blotch on each side within a broad black band, or the red pigment may be reduced or even absent altogether (especially in Sierra Nevada populations). Other forms of geographic variation involve variations in the width of the black bands, and the numbers of body triads (one red band surrounded by two black bands) that are present.

Due to the extreme variability of this snake, the described subspecies are difficult to tell apart, and best identified by locality. Intergradation between populations is common, and ranges of subspecies are discontinuous. Identification of subspecies in the northern edge of the range, in Oregon and Washington, is controversial.

Range length: 51 to 122.5 cm.

Average length: <100 cm.

Other Physical Features: ectothermic ; heterothermic ; bilateral symmetry

Sexual Dimorphism: male larger

Length: 102 cm

Habitat and Ecology

Systems

• Terrestrial

Habitat and Ecology

Systems

• Terrestrial

Lampropeltis zonata is found in a wide variety of habitats and is considered a habitat generalist. Most often though, it is associated with moist woodlands such as coniferous forests, oak woodlands, chaparral, or coastal sage scrub. In these areas, it is commonly located within riparian zones with ample rocks and rotting logs where the sun reaches, or on the south-facing, rocky, slopes of stream canyons. They inhabit elevations ranging from sea level to 3,000 m above sea level.

Range elevation: sea level to 3000 m.

Habitat Regions: temperate ; terrestrial

Terrestrial Biomes: forest ; scrub forest

Comments: Typical habitat of this species consists of moist open coniferous forests, oak woodlands, riparian woodland, chaparral, coastal sage scrub, and openly wooded areas where there are rocks or rotting logs (Grismer 2002, Stebbins 2003). During periods of inactivity, individuals seek shelter under rocks, logs, bark, or underground.

Non-Migrant: Yes. At least some populations of this species do not make significant seasonal migrations. Juvenile dispersal is not considered a migration.

Locally Migrant: No. No populations of this species make local extended movements (generally less than 200 km) at particular times of the year (e.g., to breeding or wintering grounds, to hibernation sites).

Locally Migrant: No. No populations of this species make annual migrations of over 200 km.

As an active hunter, Lampropeltis zonata uses sight and olfaction to find its prey. Once caught, small or helpless prey are swallowed immediately, but large, struggling prey must be constricted before ingestion. Food items are swallowed head-first the majority of the time.

Lizards including Gilbert skinks (Plestiodon gilberti), western skinks (E. skiltonianus), sagebrush lizards (Sceloporus graciosus) and western fence lizards (S. occidentalis) are common prey. Nestling bird species such as Swainson's thrushes (Catharus ustulatus), dusky flycatchers (Empidonax oberholseri), and green-tailed towhees (Pipilo chlorurus) are other important prey of this snake. Lizard eggs, bird eggs, small snakes (prairie rattlesnakes Crotalus viridis), small mammals, and possibly amphibians are all eaten as well.

The bright coloration of Lampropeltis zonata is believed to aid its hunting by making it more conspicuous to prey species. Birds will often attack this snake as they see it approach their nests. This allows the snake to follow the cues of intensity and directionality of the attack to search for bird eggs and nestlings.

Animal Foods: birds; mammals; amphibians; reptiles; eggs

Primary Diet: carnivore (Eats terrestrial vertebrates)

Comments: Eats lizards, squamate eggs, mammals, and birds; juveniles feed on lizards, especially spiny lizards (Sceloporus) and skinks (Eumeces) (Greene and Rodriguez-Robles (2003).

Lampropeltis zonata is a key predator in its ecosystem and presumably helps regulate the populations of its prey.

No acts of natural predation on Lampropeltis zonata have been reported. Certainly it is vulnerable to a variety of predatory mammals and birds. Although this snake is nonvenomous, its bold and advertising pattern has been considered a mimic of venomous coral snakes, such as Sonoran coral snakes (Micruroides euryxanthus), therefore warding off potential predators.

When faced with danger, flight is the first defense of Lampropeltis zonata and it will crawl to cover when given the chance. If this is not possible, it may coil and strike its attacker. When handled, it will twist violently to escape, release musk and fecal matter, and bite viciously with teeth that can cause rather deep lacerations.

Anti-predator Adaptations: mimic

Note: For many non-migratory species, occurrences are roughly equivalent to populations.

Estimated Number of Occurrences: 81 - 300

Comments: This species is represented by at least several dozen occurrences or subpopulations (see map in Zweifel 1974). This snake is secretive and occurs in rough terrain that is often not easily accessible to humans; probably there are many more occurrences than are currently known.

10,000 - 1,000,000 individuals

Comments: Total adult population size is unknown but likely exceeds 10,000 and may exceed 100,000 (conservatively assuming a density of at least 1-10 adults per square kilometer in an area of occupancy of at least 20,000 square kilometers). The collections of the California Academy of Sciences and the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology (University of California, Berkeley) include at least 185 specimens (Greene and Rodriguez-Robles 2003).

Lampropeltis zonata uses sight to locate moving prey, and smell (olfaction and the vomero-nasal system) to find hidden prey and eggs. Males will follow pheromone trails to find females during the mating season. They perceive their environments through sight, smell, and touch.

This snake also communicates with other animals through bright coloration that warns potential predators to avoid eating it. Since it is not actually venomous as its colors would suggest, this is possibly a form of Batesian mimicry that mimics an aposematic species. The presumed model species would be the venomous Sonoran coral snakes (Micruroides euryxanthus), an elapid, which does not now occur in the United States portion of mountain kingsnakes' range.

Like all snakes, California mountain snakes possess primitive ear structures that allow them to detect vibrations.

Communication Channels: visual ; tactile ; chemical

Other Communication Modes: mimicry ; pheromones

Perception Channels: visual ; tactile ; vibrations ; chemical

Comments: Inactive in cold temperatures and extreme heat. Mainly diurnal except during hot weather when it is active at night.

Lampropeltis zonata is an oviparous species, whose eggs incubate for an average 62 days. After hatching, Lampropeltis zonata young measure 20.0 to 27.2 cm in length, and weigh about 5.7 to 7.7 g. The hatchlings are just as vividly colored as adults.

These snakes generally reach maturity at a SVL (snout to vent length) of roughly 45 centimeters. In terms of total body length, however, males reach maturity at 50.7 centimeters, and females reach maturity at 54.7 centimeters.

Development - Life Cycle: indeterminate growth

The lifespan of Lampropeltis zonata in the wild is unknown, however, an individual in captivity was reported to live up to 26 years, 4 months, and 1 day.

A major threat to Lampropeltis zonata is habitat destruction. This is usually associated with urbanization, however, slabs from rock outcrops are also torn off by people searching for this species or other reptiles. This and other forms of rock removal are damaging an irreplaceable facet of the snake's habitat, leading to detrimental effects on populations. Due to this snake's vibrant coloration, collection for the pet trade has diminished populations, as well.

Range lifespan
Status: captivity: 26 (high) years.

Maximum longevity: 28.8 years (captivity)

In the wild, Lampropeltis zonata males may find females by following their pheromone trails. In captivity, males show interest in places where females have coiled or crawled. Little information is known regarding courtship behavior or mating systems for this species.

Lampropeltis zonata typically breeds from April through early June, usually soon after emergence in the spring, although copulation by captives has taken place as early as March. Females may breed only every second year.

Oviposition occurs in late May to July. Clutches average about 7 eggs, but range from 2 to 10. Eggs are white, elongated, and adherent, averaging 42.2 (40.0 to 45.0) mm in length, and 17.2 (15.8 to 18.0) mm in width, with a mass of about 6.6 (5.0 to 9.0) g.

Depending on incubation temperature, incubation periods average 62 days, but range from 47 to 87 days at temperatures of 23 to 29 degrees Celsius.

Age of maturity is unreported.

Breeding interval: California mountain kingsnakes breed once yearly, however some females may reproduce biennially.

Breeding season: California mountain kingsnakes breed from April to early June.

Range number of offspring: 2 to 10.

Average number of offspring: 7.

Range birth mass: 5.7 to 7.7 g.

Average birth mass: 6.6 g.

Key Reproductive Features: iteroparous ; seasonal breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual ; fertilization ; oviparous

Parental investment post-oviposition has not been documented for this species.

Parental Investment: no parental involvement; pre-fertilization (Provisioning, Protecting: Female)

Limited data indicate that mating occurs in April-May, clutch size is 2-9 (usually 4-6?), egg laying occurs in June-July (captives may lay as late as August), incubation in captivity may last 53-63 days, and hatching occurs in August-September; apparently, not all mature females breed each year (Goldberg 1995).

Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLDS) Stats
Public Records: 0
Specimens with Barcodes: 1
Species With Barcodes: 1

Year Assessed

Assessor/s

Reviewer/s

Justification

Year Assessed

Assessor/s

Reviewer/s

Justification

Lampropeltis zonata is currently listed as a California Species of Special Concern, according to the California Department of Fish and Game, and some populations are protected. Oregon protects this species. The IUCN Red List labels it as of Least Concern.

Habitat destruction associated with urbanization and rock collection are the most frequent threats to this species, but it is also commonly used in the pet trade. Even though some areas are protected habitats, measures to prevent illegal snake collecting are weak. This snake is capable of breeding in captivity, which should be used to fulfill the demand for pets while allowing the native populations to remain undisturbed.

US Federal List: no special status

CITES: no special status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern

United States

Rounded National Status Rank: N4 - Apparently Secure

Rounded Global Status Rank: G4 - Apparently Secure

Intrinsic Vulnerability: Moderately vulnerable

Population

Population Trend

Population

Population Trend

Global Short Term Trend: Relatively stable (=10% change)

Comments: Extent of occurrence, area of occupancy, number of subpopulations, and population size probably are relatively stable or declining at a rate of less than 10 percent over three generations or 10 years.

Global Long Term Trend: Increase of 10-25% to decline of 30%

Comments: Localized declines have occurred, but the overall level of decline probably is less than 25 percent compared to the historical situation.

Degree of Threat: Medium

Comments: Some local populations probably have been reduced or eliminated as a result of habitat destruction associated with urbanization. Some accessible populations along roads probably have been detrimentally affected as a result of snake collection by reptile hobbyists and commerical collectors and by the damage collectors do to the microhabitats used by this snake (Grismer 2002, Ernst and Ernst 2003). However, much of the range of this snake is in fairly remote country that is not threatened by collectors or urbanization.

Major Threats

Major Threats

Conservation Actions

Conservation Actions

Global Protection: Several to many (4-40) occurrences appropriately protected and managed

Comments: At least several occurrences are in parks and other areas with protected habitat. Accessible sections of these areas are not necessarily well protected against illegal snake collecting.

This species does not cause any harm to humans or their interests. In the presence of danger, its first response is to flee and will only strike when absolutely necessary. Despite its bright coloration, it is nonvenomous and is simply a mimic of poisonous species.

Lampropeltis zonata is often collected for use in the pet trade due to its attractive coloration and lack of venom. Its use in zoos also allows for the education of visitors about this snake and others. Captive breeding can reduce the market for wild-caught animals.

Positive Impacts: pet trade ; research and education