California Mountain Kingsnake

Maximum longevity: 28.8 years (captivity)

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.

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

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: heterothermic

Sexual Dimorphism: male larger

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

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 )

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)

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

Key Reproductive Features: iteroparous ; seasonal breeding ; sexual ; fertilization ; oviparous

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

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

Factores de riesgo

La región que habita L. zonata exhibe alta fragmentación de la vegetación en el área y podrían reducir su cobertura boscosa drásticamente. Los pastizales húmedos se encuentran fuertemente pastoreados, trayendo consigo cambios en el suelo. Por otra parte, hay interés por continuar en la región con el uso forestal, asentamientos turísticos incipientes, apertura de áreas residenciales para extranjeros, incremento en la actividad pecuaria en los valles intermontanos, lo que incidiría seguramente en la fragmentación por caminos y carreteras "fuera de camino" y sin regulación, ganadería extensiva sin control e introducción de fauna que de alguna manera perjudica a las especies que aún sobreviven. (Arriaga et al., 2000; RTP-11).

Situación actual del hábitat con respecto a las necesidades de la especie

Aunque existen estaciones biológicas, reservas y zonas forestales protectoras, no se sabe con exactitud las funciones de conservación y/o protección de cada una de ellas con respecto a esta especie. Los pocos lugares de bosque virgen están siendo destruidos o degradados en extensas áreas a causa de incendios, tala, agricultura y pastoreo, por lo que, es urgente y necesaria la protección de su escasa área de distribución en territorio nacional.

Antecedentes del estado de la especie o de las poblaciones principales

Es escasa la información sobre la biología y ecología de Lampropeltis zonata. Generalmente estas especies no son vistas con frecuencia en el campo debido a sus hábitos, por lo tanto solo se sabe de la existencia de cinco registros (Stebbins, 1966).

No obstante a que esta serpiente exhibe una distribución pequeña, no existen zonas donde se hayan tomado medidas de conservación, a pesar de ser una especie cuya distribución es extralimital en México con escasas poblaciones.

Lampropeltis zonata es una culebra inofensiva de tamaño pequeño con un máximo de longitud de 522 mm en machos y 529 mm en hembras (Shine, 1994). Se caracteriza por poseer de 194-227 escamas ventrales y de 46-62 subcaudales. Se distingue principalmente de otras especies del género por el patrón de coloración que básicamente en el cuerpo, es una serie de anillos negros y blancos alternos; típicamente cada anillo negro encierra un área roja en cada sitio, y las áreas rojas llegan a unirse en la mitad del dorso para formar un anillo rojo entre los dos negros. La unidad fundamental para este patrón de coloración es la triada, ya que existe un par de anillos blancos entre las áreas negras que pueden estar unidos con el negro o el rojo (Rodríguez-Robles et al., 1999). Los anillos rojos pueden estar interrumpidos dorsalmente, o aparecen como marcas negras estrechas. Algunas veces pueden ser más anchos que las bandas negras o blancas. La cabeza es negra, y el primer anillo es blanco. El hocico generalmente es de color negro con o sin marcas rojas. La placa anal es única (Stebbins, 1966).

Categoria de edad, tamaño o estadio

Huevo, cría, juvenil y adulto.

Historia de vida

Ovípara, ectoterma (Shine, 1994).

Actual

MEXICO / BAJA CALIFORNIA

La distribución general de Lampropeltis zonata está comprendida a lo largo de regiones montañosas de la Costa del Pacífico de Norte América, desde el sur de Washington en Estados Unidos al norte de Baja California, México, y sur de la Isla Todos Santos de Ensenada, a lo largo del noreste sobre la Costa de Baja California (Zweifel, 1974; Rodríguez-Robles et al., 1999).

MEXICO / BAJA CALIFORNIA SUR

(Zweifel, 1974; Rodríguez-Robles et al., 1999).

Histórica Estimada

MEXICO

Conocido de principios de siglo XX (1923) para la Costa del Pacífico de Norte América, cuya distribución abarcaba desde el sur de Washington en Estados Unidos al norte de Baja California, México, y al sur de la Isla Todos Santos de Ensenada, a lo largo del noreste sobre la Costa de Baja California (Stebbins, 1966) de donde proviene un holotipo.

Lampropeltis zonata se alimenta de algunas especies de lagartijas de los géneros Sceloporus y Eumeces (Cunningham, 1959). Petrides (1941) reportó crías de tordos de espalda canela y huevos de codorniz (Wentz, 1953) como fuentes de alimento de este colúbrido.

Se ha encontrado en lugares con mucha iluminación, cerca de arroyos rocosos y troncos podridos, asociados con los bosques de pino-encino y algunas veces con vegetación riparia y arbustiva (Stebbins, 1966).

Macroclima

Esta culebra habita climas templado húmedo con lluvias en invierno o clima mediterráneo (Cs), semiseco o estepario con lluvias en invierno (BSs) y desértico o muy árido con lluvias poco abundantes que pueden presentarse en cualquier época del año (BWx') (García y Falcón, 1984).

Relevancia de la especie

Taxonómico: Es escasa la literatura que trata sobre la taxonomía de esta especie (Stebbins, 1966; Zweifel, 1974). Sin embargo, Zweifel (1974) reconoce siete subespecies de Lampropeltis zonata (agalma, herrerae, multicincta, multifasciata, parvirubra, pulcra y zonata), de las cuales sólo dos (agalma y herrerae) se encuentran registradas para México. En un estudio reciente Rodríguez-Robles et al. (1999), establecieron la filogeografía de esta especie (y sus subespecies) proponiendo que las poblaciones mexicanas (agalma y herrerae) pertenecen al clado del sur.
Ecológico: La región donde habita Lampropeltis zonata funciona como corredor biológico y es de gran importancia para la biota de las Sierras de California y de la península de Baja California (Arriaga et al., 2000, RTP-11).

Fecundidad

Stebbins (1954) menciona que una puesta de huevos de la especies de una población de California requiere de 63 días para la incubación en el laboratorio. Por otra parte, Cunningham (1959) encontró que una hembra puso 3 huevos en el mes de julio.

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

The California mountain kingsnake (Lampropeltis zonata) is a species of nonvenomous colubrid snake that is endemic to North America. It is a coral snake mimic, having a similar pattern consisting of red, black, and yellow on its body, but the snake is completely harmless. Seven subspecies are recognized, with five found in the U.S., including the nominotypical subspecies, and two in Mexico.

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Lampropeltis zonata Lampropeltis generoko animalia da. Narrastien barruko Colubridae familian sailkatuta dago.

Lampropeltis zonata est une espèce de serpent de la famille des Colubridae. Ce serpent se dénomme également le serpent-roi des montagnes.

Lampropeltis zonata là một loài rắn trong họ Rắn nước. Loài này được Lockington mô tả khoa học đầu tiên năm 1835.