Species profile
California Kingsnake
Lampropeltis californiae
Identify California Kingsnake (Lampropeltis californiae) from a photo — free, unlimited, no sign-up — with the CatchRules iPhone app.
At a glance
California Kingsnake (Lampropeltis californiae) is an IUCN Least Concern reptile with specific harvest rules tracked in 1 of 66 jurisdictions covered by CatchRules.
Confirmed by 13,056 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with California, Arizona, and Utah the top jurisdictions by observation count.
Notable details
- Adults typically reach 2.5 to 3.5 feet in length, with some exceeding 4 feet.
- They are immune to rattlesnake venom and regularly prey on venomous snakes.
- Powerful constrictors, they kill prey by squeezing rather than using venom.
- Can live over 20 years in captivity.
- Thrive in diverse habitats including deserts, grasslands, chaparral, and woodland edges.
Where California Kingsnake are seen
Background
The California kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula californiae) is a nonvenomous colubrid snake endemic to the western United States and northern Mexico. It is a relatively small subspecies of the common kingsnake and is found in a variety of habitats. Due to ease of care and a wide range of color variations, the California kingsnake is one of the most popular snakes in captivity.
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's California Kingsnake article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other reptiles on CatchRules
Frequently asked questions
What is California Kingsnake?
California Kingsnake (Lampropeltis californiae) is an IUCN Least Concern reptile with specific harvest rules tracked in 1 of 66 jurisdictions covered by CatchRules.
What is the scientific name for California Kingsnake?
California Kingsnake is Lampropeltis californiae.
Are there fishing rules for California Kingsnake?
California Kingsnake does not currently have published fishing rules in CatchRules' curated jurisdictions. Identification, range, and habitat are still tracked above.
How can I identify California Kingsnake?
Take a photo with the free CatchRules iPhone app — on-device identification recognizes California Kingsnake along with ~1,500 other species. No sign-up, unlimited use.
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.