Priscilla California Kingsnake
IUCN: Least Concern
The California kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula californiae) is one of the most spectacular native snakes of California, ranging from Baja California to Oregon. A nonvenomous subspecies of the common kingsnake, California kingsnakes can be banded or striped, yellow or white on black or dark brown.
They are known to kill and eat rodents, lizards, birds, and smaller snakes. In fact, their name comes from the fact that, like the king cobra, they eat other snakes—including venomous species such as rattlesnakes and copperheads. Interestingly, as a constrictor, Priscilla and other kingsnakes have been shown to have the greatest constriction muscle power considering their size when compared to all other snake species, including Burmese pythons, reticulated pythons, and green anacondas.
Although not threatened, learning about how kingsnakes live in the wild, and why they are a crucial part of our natural ecosystem, is a great reason to meet Priscilla up close. Given that California kingsnakes are often seen on the Ranch property, she is truly one of our native ambassadors!
They are known to kill and eat rodents, lizards, birds, and smaller snakes. In fact, their name comes from the fact that, like the king cobra, they eat other snakes—including venomous species such as rattlesnakes and copperheads. Interestingly, as a constrictor, Priscilla and other kingsnakes have been shown to have the greatest constriction muscle power considering their size when compared to all other snake species, including Burmese pythons, reticulated pythons, and green anacondas.
Although not threatened, learning about how kingsnakes live in the wild, and why they are a crucial part of our natural ecosystem, is a great reason to meet Priscilla up close. Given that California kingsnakes are often seen on the Ranch property, she is truly one of our native ambassadors!