Mountain Kingsnake
Lampropeltis zonata
The markings of the beautifully colored Mountain Kingsnake are often confused with those of the coral snake. Just remember the saying, “red next to black is a friend of Jack, red next to yellow is a dangerous fellow.”
Description: Banded red, black, and creamy white encircling entire length of body; the red band bordered with black. Length 20” – 40” (5 to 10 dm); average about 2 ft.
Habitat: Mainly in wooded canyon bottoms and moist forests; coast range chaparral, often near rocks or brush; also found along rocky streams
Range: Sporadically in mountains of the west, south of Canada; western slopes of Sierra Nevada into southwestern OR.
Food: Lizards, skinks, young birds, small mammals, and other snakes (rattlesnakes thought be part of their diet)
Season: Most probably March to October; hibernate from late Nov until mid-Feb or later
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Photo: Rob Lovich, USGS