California (Common) Kingsnake

Question 1

What family of snakes does the common kingsnake belong to?

Answer 1

The colubrids.

Question 2

What is the largest family of snakes?

Answer 2

The colubrids.

Question 3

What percentage of snake species are colubrids?

Answer 3

66%

Question 4

How many subspecies of the common kingsnake are recognized?

Answer 4

Eight.

Question 5

Why is the colubrid family somewhat of a disorganized family of snakes?

Answer 5

It has become a sort of garbage bin for snakes that scientists can’t place in other families.

Question 6

How long do common kingsnakes get?

Answer 6

Between 2 and 7 feet long.

Question 7

What is the maximum weight for a common kingsnake?

Answer 7

About 5 pounds.

Question 8

What is the range and habitat of the common kingsnake?

Answer 8

It is found throughout most of the United States and Northern Mexico in grassland, scrubs, woodlands, deserts, swamps, farms, and lakesides.

Question 9

What is the scientific name of the common kingsnake?

Answer 9

Lampropeltis getula.

Question 10

What do common kingsnakes eat?

Answer 10

Kingsnakes eat primarily other snakes, but will also eat small mammals, eggs, lizards, and amphibians.

Question 11

How does a kingsnake keep itself from being bitten by venomous snakes?

Answer 11

It bites the jaws first to hold them shut.

Question 12

How does the common kingsnake kill their prey?

Answer 12

They kill by constriction.

Question 13

What happens if a common kingsnake is bitten by a venomous snake?

Answer 13

Nothing. They are nearly immune to the venom.

Question 14

Around how many eggs does the common kingsnake lay?

Answer 14

12

Question 15

What is the lifespan of the common kingsnake?

Answer 15

Up to 25 years.

Question 16

Is the California kingsnake one of the larger subspecies of common kingsnake?

Answer 16

No. It is one of the smaller ones.

Question 17

How high up can you find a common kingsnake?

Answer 17

Up to 7,000 feet

Question 18

Where were common kingsnakes accidentally introduced?

Answer 18

The Canary Islands

Question 19

Is the common kingsnake diurnal or nocturnal?

Answer 19

It is primarily diurnal, but can become more nocturnal if the weather is too hot.

Question 20

What will common kingsnakes do in the winter?

Answer 20

They will brumate.

Question 21

How is brumation different from hibernation?

Answer 21

The slowing of the metabolic processes is not as extreme.

Question 22

Are kingsnakes and rattlesnakes enemies?

Answer 22

No. They will often share the same cover.

Question 23

How does the common kingsnake defend itself?

Answer 23

It will coil up and produce a rattling sound, attempting to imitate a rattlesnake. If it is picked up, it may bite and secrete a musk.

Question 24

How often do snakes shed?

Answer 24

Generally four to six times a year.

Question 25

Will younger or older snakes shed more often?

Answer 25

Younger.

Question 26

How small are common kingsnakes when they are born?

Answer 26

Around twelve inches.

Question 27

Name the subspecies of the common kingsnake.

Answer 27

California kingsnake, Florida kingsnake, eastern kingsnake, speckled kingsnake, black kingsnake, Mexican black kingsnake, desert kingsnake, lowlands kingsnake.

Question 28

Can common kingsnakes swim and climb?

Answer 28

Yes.