CaliforniaHerps.com

A Guide to the Amphibians
and Reptiles of California

Coast Mountain Kingsnake - Lampropeltis multifasciata

Bocourt (1882)
Click on a picture for a larger view

Description • Taxonomy • Species Description • Scientific Name • Alt. Names • Similar Herps • References • Conservation Status 
California Mountain Kingsnake Range MapOrange: Range of this species in California
Lampropeltis multifasciata - Coast Mountain Kingsnake

Range of similar species in California:

Red: Lampropeltis zonata - California Mountain Kingsnake

Blue: Areas where mountain kingsnakes have been reported
but not confirmed or documented.



Click on the map for a topographical view

Map with California County Names









observation link





All of the snakes on this page except for those marked as "Species Not Known" are the same species.

The SSAR, whose list is followed by this website, has recognized that the species Lampropeltis zonata - California Mountain Kingsnake now consists of two species. (It was formerly was viewed as one species with seven subspecies.)
The second species is Lampropeltis zonata - California Mountain Kingsnake. (No subspecies of the two species are recognized.)

This page follows the two-species taxonomy but pictures of the snakes are organized in groups based on their former subspecies.
Coast Mountain Kingsnakes formerly recoginzed as
Lampropeltis zonata pulchra - San Diego Mountain Kingsnake
San Diego Mountain Kingsnake
Adult, Santa Ana Mountains, Riverside County © Nathan Ray
San Diego Mountain Kingsnake San Diego Mountain Kingsnake San Diego Mountain Kingsnake San Diego Mountain Kingsnake
Juvenile, San Diego County Juvenile, San Diego County
San Diego Mountain Kingsnake San Diego Mountain Kingsnake San Diego Mountain Kingsnake San Diego Mountain Kingsnake
Adult, San Diego County Juvenile, San Diego County Adult, Santa Ana Mountains ,Riverside County © Nathan Ray
San Diego Mountain Kingsnake San Diego Mountain Kingsnake San Diego Mountain Kingsnake San Diego Mountain Kingsnake
Adult, San Diego County Adult, Orange County. © Mike Pecora
San Diego Mountain Kingsnake San Diego Mountain Kingsnake San Diego Mountain Kingsnake San Diego Mountain Kingsnake
Adult, Santa Monica Mountains, Los Angeles County © Colin Byrne Juvenile observed crossing a road in August, San Diego County  © Bill Bachman
San Diego Mountain Kingsnake San Diego Mountain Kingsnake San Diego Mountain Kingsnake San Diego Mountain Kingsnake
Adult basking at the edge of a crack,
San Diego County		 Adult, coastal Los Angeles County
© Huck Triggs 		Adult, coastal Los Angeles County
© Huck Triggs 		Adult, found in a creek in a rocky canyon in the Santa Monica Mountains,
Los Angeles County © Huck Triggs
San Diego Mountain Kingsnake San Diego Mountain Kingsnake    
Adult, San Diego County © Marcus Rehrman    
       
Abberant Pattern
San Diego Mountain Kingsnake San Diego Mountain Kingsnake San Diego Mountain Kingsnake
Aberrant juvenile, San Diego County
San Diego Mountain Kingsnake      
Underside of aberrant juvenile,
San Diego County		      
   
Mountain Kingsnakes formerly recognized as
Lampropeltis zonata parvirubra - San Bernardino Mountain Kingsnake
San Bernardino Mountain Kingsnake San Bernardino Mountain Kingsnake San Bernardino Mountain Kingsnake San Bernardino Mountain Kingsnake
Adult, San Jacinto Mountains, Riverside County © Gary Nafis Specimen courtesy of Mitch Mulks Adult, San Jacinto Mountains,
Riverside County © Benjamin German
San Bernardino Mountain Kingsnake San Bernardino Mountain Kingsnake San Bernardino Mountain Kingsnake San Bernardino Mountain Kingsnake
Adult, San Jacinto Mountains, Riverside County, © Brad Alexander Two adults from the same rock outcrop in the San Bernardino Mountains, San Bernardino County © Brian Hubbs Adult, San Jacinto Mountains,
Riverside County. © Brian Hinds
San Bernardino Mountain Kingsnake San Bernardino Mountain Kingsnake San Bernardino Mountain Kingsnake San Bernardino Mountain Kingsnake
Adult, San Bernardino County
© Patrick Briggs		 Adult, San Gabriel Mountains
Los Angeles County © Jeremiah Easter		 Adult, San Gabriel Mountains, Los Angeles County © Gregory Litiatco
San Bernardino Mountain Kingsnake San Bernardino Mountain Kingsnake San Bernardino Mountain Kingsnake San Bernardino Mountain Kingsnake
Head Study, San Bernardino County
© Patrick Briggs		 Adult, found at 7,000 ft. elevation in Ventura County © Benjamin German Adult, San Bernardino County
© Huck Triggs
       
Coast Mountain Kingsnakes formerly recognized as
Lampropeltis zonata multifasciata - Coast Mountain Kingsnake, from south of Monterey Bay
Coast Mountain Kingsnake Coast Mountain Kingsnake Coast Mountain Kingsnake Coast Mountain Kingsnake
Adult, Monterey County
© Ryan Sikola		 Juvenile, Monterey County
© Ryan Sikola		 Juvenile, Monterey County
© Ryan Sikola		 Adult, Monterey County
© Ryan Sikola
Coast Mountain Kingsnake San Diego Mountain Kingsnake San Diego Mountain Kingsnake San Diego Mountain Kingsnake
Adult, Monterey County
© Ryan Sikola		 Adult, Central Coast
© Ryan Sikola		 Adult, Santa Barbara County
© Ryan Sikola		 Adult, Central Coast
© Ryan Sikola
Coast Mountain Kingsnake Coast Mountain Kingsnake Coast Mountain Kingsnake Coast Mountain Kingsnake
Juvenile, northern Santa Lucia Mountains, Monterey County
© Benjamin German		 Adult, southern Santa Lucia Mountains, Monterey County (near the border with San Luis Obispo County)
© Benjamin German		 Adult, Santa Lucia Mountains, Monterey County © Benjamin German

 Adult, Santa Lucia Mountains, Monterey County © Benjamin German
Coast Mountain Kingsnake Coast Mountain Kingsnake Coast Mountain Kingsnake Coast Mountain Kingsnake
Juvenile, Gabilan Mountains, San Benito County
© Benjamin German		 Adult, Gabilan Mountains,
San Benito County © Benjamin German		 Adult, Monterey County
© Benjamin German
Coast Mountain Kingsnake Coast Mountain Kingsnake Coast Mountain Kingsnake Coast Mountain Kingsnake
Adult Santa Barbara County © Max Roberts
Adult, Santa Cruz County
© Marcus Rehrman
Coast Mountain Kingsnake Coast Mountain Kingsnake    
Adult, Santa Cruz County
© Marcus Rehrman		 Adult, Monterey County
© Ryan Sikola		    
       
Species Not Known
These snakes from the coast range south of Monterey Bay were not included in the study that recognized two species.
They could be either L. zonata - California Mountain Kingsnake, or L. multifasciata - Coast Mountain Kingsnake
Coast Mountain Kingsnake Coast Mountain Kingsnake Coast Mountain Kingsnake  
Adult, Gabilan Mountains,
San Benito County © Benjamin German		 Juvenile, Gabilan Mountains, San Benito County
© Benjamin German		  
 
Habitat
San Diego Mountain Kingsnake Habitat San Diego Mountain Kingsnake Habitat San Diego Mountain Kingsnake Habitat San Diego Mountain Kingsnake
Habitat, 6,000 ft., San Diego County Habitat, 5,500 ft. San Diego County Habitat, 6,000 ft., San Diego County Manzanita and chaparral habitat, Laguna Mountans, San Diego County
© Bill Bachman
Coronado Skink Habitat San Diego Mountain Kingsnake Habitat San Bernardino Mountain Kingsnake Habitat Coast Mountain Kingsnake Habitat
Habitat, 5,500 ft. San Diego County Habitat, 6,000 ft., San Diego County Habitat, 5,600 ft., San Jacinto Mountains, Riverside County Habitat, coast range, Monterey County
San Bernardino Mountain Kingsnake Habitat San Bernardino Mountain Kingsnake Habitat San Bernardino Mountain Kingsnake Habitat San Bernardino Mountain Kingsnake Habitat
Habitat, 6,200 ft. San Bernardino Mountains, San Bernardino County Habitat, San Jacinto Mountains,
Riverside County		 Habitat, 5,800 ft. San Bernardino Mountains, San Bernardino County Habitat, 6,200 ft. San Bernardino Mountains, San Bernardino County
San Bernardino Mountain Kingsnake Habitat San Bernardino Mountain Kingsnake Habitat Coast Mountain Kingsnake Habitat Museum Exhibit  
Habitat, Santa Monica Mountain
© Huck Triggs		 Habitat, Santa Monica Mountain
© Huck Triggs		 Monterey museum exhibit.
Exhibits like this one have inspired many a young herper with the desire to see this beautiful snake in the wild.
© Benjamin German		  
       
Short Video
San Diego Mountain Kingsnake San Diego Mountain Kingsnake    
A short look at a juvenile Coast Mountain Kingsnake found under a rock in San Diego County This short video shows an adult mountain kingsnake in a creek in a rocky canyon in the Santa Monica Mountains, Los Angeles County © Huck Triggs    
     
Description

Not Dangerous - This snake does not have venom that can cause death or serious illness or injury in most humans.

Commonly described as "harmless" or "not poisonous" to indicate that its bite is not dangerous, but "not venomous" is more accurate. (A poisonous snake can hurt you if you eat it. A venomous snake can hurt you if it bites you.)
There are no venomous snakes in California that can be mistaken for this snake, but similar-looking Coral Snakes, including the Arizona Coral Snake which is found in the adjacent state of Arizona, is venomous and dangerous.

Size
20 - 50 inches long (51 - 127 cm.)
Hatchlings are 7 - 11 inches in length (18 - 28 cm.)
Appearance
A medium-sized slender snake with a head not much wider than the cylindrical body with smooth shiny scales.
Color and Pattern
Black, red, and off-white or grayish-white rings circle the body.
The red bands are noticably wider than the others, with the white bands wider than the black.
Some black bands may widen and cross over the red bands on the back, especially in populations in the Santa Monica Mountains.
A red band surrounded by two black bands is referred to as a "triad."
On this subspecies there are 18 - 39 triads, with an average of 33.
Typically, 60 percent or more of the triads have complete red bands with no black crossovers.
The bands continue around the belly, but the coloring is paler, and the black and white bands are reduced in size giving the belly a reddish coloring.
The nose is black sometimes with some red.

Life History and Behavior
Secretive, but not rare in suitable habitat. Spends most of the time underground, under surface objects, or inside rock crevices. Occasionally seen active on the ground in the daytime, especially near shaded streams on hot sunny days. Active during the day at high altitudes during times of low nighttime temperatures (which is typical habitat.) When temperatures are more moderate, it can be crepuscular, nocturnal, and diurnal. During very hot weather, activity is primarily nocturnal. This snake is normally active at temperatures between aproximately 55 - 85 degrees.

Enters into winter hibernation typically around November, emerging some time from February to April, depending on location and weather conditions.
Diet and Feeding
Eats lizards, small mammals, nestling birds, bird eggs, amphibians, and occasionally snakes, including its own species.
Reproduction
Mating takes place a few weeks after emergence in the spring.
Females are oviparous, laying eggs from June-July which hatch after 50 - 65 days.

Habitat
A habitat generalist, found in diverse habitats including coniferous forest, oak-pine woodlands, riparian woodland, chaparral, manzanita, and coastal sage scrub. Wooded areas near a stream with rock outcrops, talus or rotting logs that are exposed to the sun are good places to find this snake.

Geographical Range
According to Myers et al (2013) "Lampropeltis multifasciata is composed of all populations in the Peninsular Ranges and in the Transverse Ranges, north into the Coast Ranges just south of Monterey Bay, California, including the disjunct population on Isla Sur of Islas Todos Santos, Baja California, Mexico."

The presence of Lampropeltis zonata on Santa Catalina Island was confirmed when an Island Fox was videotaped preying on a California Mountain Kingsnake on Catalina Island on April 26th, 2015. I am presuming that it is L. z. pulchra due to its geographic location. A still photo was posted on Facebook and might still be available. A video file of the April 2015 discovery has been put in the Los Angeles County Natural History Museum. You might be able to still watch it on the Facebook Group - Herping the Globe.
Robert W. Hansen, Richard Cazares, and Alexus Cazares. Herpetological Review 46(4), 2015

There are unconfirmed sight records from the interior south coast ranges.

Confirmed from the Gabilan Range at Fremont Peak, first San Benito County record, in 2013. Dana Waters, Herpetological Review 44(2), 2013

Full Species Range Map

Click the map to enlarge.
Click Here to see a map of the ranges of all formerly recognized subspecies.
Click Here to see a map of the ranges of the former subspecies in California.
Elevational Range
From near sea level along the coast, to 9,000 ft. (2750 m) on Mt. San Jacinto.

Notes on Taxonomy
In 2013 Myers et al (Myers, E. A., J. A. Rodríguez-Robles, D. F. DeNardo, R. E. Staub, A. Stropoli, S. Ruane, and F. T. Burbrink. 2013. Multilocus phylogeographic assessment of the California Mountain Kingsnake (Lampropeltis zonata) suggests alternative patterns of diversification for the California Floristic Province. Molecular Ecology 22 2013 - PDF) show that Lampropeltis zonata consists of two species, but did not give these species Common Names. They also show that the southern species contains two lineages - the southern species, and the Peninsular Range lineage.

"Using nonparametic and Bayesian species delimitation, we determined that there are two well-supported species within L. zonata. Ecological niche modelling supports the delimitation of these taxa, suggesting that the two species inhabit distinct climatic environments. Gene flow between the two taxa is low and appears to occur unidirectionally. [north to south only] Further, our data suggest that gene flow was mediated by females, a rare pattern in snakes. In contrast to previous analyses, we determined that the divergence between the two lineages occurred in the late Pliocene (c. 2.07 Ma). Spatially and temporally, the divergence of these lineages is associated with the inundation of central California by the Monterey Bay."

"Recognizing two species in this complex is a conservative decision, as the southern taxon could potentially be further subdivided into two separate lineages."

As of June 2016 the SSAR shows the common names to be California Mountain Kingsnake and Coast Mountain Kingsnake.


Lampropeltis  zonata (Lockington ex Blainville 1835)

"Lampropeltis zonata is composed of all populations in the Sierra Nevada Mountains and the Coast Ranges north of Monterey Bay, California, north into the Klamath Mountains, in Oregon, plus an additional, disjunct population along the Columbia Gorge, in the great state of Washington."

Lampropeltis  multifasciata (Bocourt 1886)

"Lampropeltis multifasciata is composed of all populations in the Peninsular Ranges and in the Transverse Ranges, north into the Coast Ranges just south of Monterey Bay, California, including the disjunct population on Isla Sur of Islas Todos Santos, Baja California, Mexico."

L.zonata/L.multifasciata range map
"Circles represent individuals assigned to the northern species (Lampropeltis zonata),
triangles indicate individuals belonging to the southern species (Lampropeltis multifasciata) and
squares represent individuals assigned to the Peninsular Range lineage.
The approximate range of L. zonata is highlighted in red, and that of
L. multifasciata is highlighted in blue (modified from Stebbins 2003).
© 2013 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
California Mountain Kingsnake Range Map
Alternate and Previous Names (Synonyms)

L. zonata multifasciata - Sierra Mountain Kingsnake (Stebbins 1966, 1985, 2003, 2012)
L. zonata parvirubra - San Bernardino Mountain Kingsnake (Stebbins 1966, 1985, 2003, 2012)
L. zonata pulchra - San Diego Mountain Kingsnake (Stebbins 1966, 1985, 2003, 2012)
L. zonata agalma - Baja California Mountain Kingsnake) (Mountains of northern Baja California) (Stebbins 1966, 1985, 2003, 2012)

L. zonata multifasciata (subspecies of California Mountain King Snake) (Stebbins 1954)
L. zonata parvirubra (subspecies of California Mountain King Snake) (Stebbins 1954)
L. zonata pulchra (subspecies of California Mountain King Snake) (Stebbins 1954)
L. zonata agalma (Mountains of northern Baja California) (subspecies of California Mountain King Snake) (Stebbins 1954)
L. zonata herrerae (South Todos Santos Island) (subspecies of California Mountain King Snake) (Stebbins 1954)

Lampropeltis pyromelana multicincta - Coral King Snake (Ophibolus getulus multicinctus; Coluber [Zacholus] zonatus; Coronella multifasciata; Bellophis zonatus; Ohibolus pyrrhomelanus; Ophibolus pyrrhomelas; Coronella pyromelanus zonata; Coronella zonata; Ophibolus zonatua; Lampropeltis zonata. California King Snake; Arizona Ringed Snake; Ringed King Snake; Eisen's King Snake; Red Milk Snake; Coral Snake; Ring Snake; Harlequin Snake) (Grinnell and Camp 1917)

Sierra Coral King Snake (Klauber)
Coral King Snake (Atsatt 1913)

Coast-range Coral King Snake; Coral Snake; Arizona King Snake; (California) Coral Snake;; Mountain King Snake; Ringed King Snake;; Western Coral King Snake
Conservation Issues  (Conservation Status)
The State of California has listed the subspecies L. z. pulchra - San Diego Mountain Kingsnake as a California Species of Special Concern. It is protected from take with a sport fishing license by law: "No California mountain kingsnakes can be collected in No California mountain kingsnakes - Lampropeltis zonata may be taken in Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, and Ventura counties."


When slabs are torn off rock outcrops by someone searching for this snake or other reptiles, the habitat this snake uses for refuge is irreparably damaged. It takes thousands of years for this rock fissuring to occur, so this habitat will not be replaced for many centuries. Such rock destruction is illegal in California: "It is unlawful to use any method or means of collecting that involves breaking apart of rocks, granite flakes, logs or other shelters in or under which reptiles may be found." (2007 regulations 5.60.4.)

Reptile hunters are usually blamed for rock habitat destruction, but bulldozers are far more destructive. I have also witnessed granite collectors tearing off huge slabs of granite with a crowbar then carrying the slabs away.
Taxonomy
Family Colubridae Colubrids Oppel, 1811
Genus Lampropeltis Kingsnakes and Milksnakes Fitzinger, 1843
Species multifasciata Coast Mountain Kingsnake  Bocourt (1882)
Original Description
Lampropeltis zonata - (Lockington, 1876 ex Blainville, 1835) - Proc. California Acad. Sci., Vol. 7, p. 52 ex Blainville, Ann. Mus. Hist. Nat. Paris., Ser. 3, Vol. 4, p. 293
from Original Description Citations for the Reptiles and Amphibians of North America © Ellin Beltz

Lampropeltis multifasciata
 Myers, E. A., J. A. Rodríguez-Robles, D. F. DeNardo, R. E. Staub, A. Stropoli, S. Ruane, and F. T. Burbrink. 2013
Meaning of the Scientific Name
Lampropeltis - Greek - lampros - shiny and pelta - shield - referring to the smooth, shiny dorsal scales characteristic of this genus
multifasciata - Latin - multi - many and fasciata - bundled, banded - refers to the banded dorsal pattern

from Scientific and Common Names of the Reptiles and Amphibians of North America - Explained © Ellin Beltz
Alternate Names
Lampropeltis zonata - California Mountain Kingsnake
L. z. parvirubra - San Bernardino Mtn. Kingsnake
L. z. pulchra - San Diego Mountain Kingsnake
Related or Similar California Snakes
Lampropeltis zonata - California Mountain Kingsnake
Lampropeltis californiae - California Kingsnake
Rhinocheilus lecontei - Long-nosed Snake
Chionactis annulata annulata - Colorado Desert Shovel-nosed snake
More Information and References
California Department of Fish and Wildlife

Rodriguez-Robles,Denardo and Staub (1999 Molecular Ecology 8: 1923-1934) Publication #19

Myers, E. A., J. A. Rodríguez-Robles, D. F. DeNardo, R. E. Staub, A. Stropoli, S. Ruane, and F. T. Burbrink. 2013. Multilocus phylogeographic assessment of the California Mountain Kingsnake (Lampropeltis zonata) suggests alternative patterns of diversification for the California Floristic Province. Molecular Ecology 22 2013 - PDF

Stebbins, Robert C., and McGinnis, Samuel M.  Field Guide to Amphibians and Reptiles of California: Revised Edition (California Natural History Guides) University of California Press, 2012.

Stebbins, Robert C. California Amphibians and Reptiles. The University of California Press, 1972.

Flaxington, William C. Amphibians and Reptiles of California: Field Observations, Distribution, and Natural History. Fieldnotes Press, Anaheim, California, 2021.

Samuel M. McGinnis and Robert C. Stebbins. Peterson Field Guide to Western Reptiles & Amphibians. 4th Edition. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company, 2018.

Stebbins, Robert C. A Field Guide to Western Reptiles and Amphibians. 3rd Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2003.

Behler, John L., and F. Wayne King. The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Reptiles and Amphibians. Alfred A. Knopf, 1992.

Powell, Robert., Joseph T. Collins, and Errol D. Hooper Jr. A Key to Amphibians and Reptiles of the Continental United States and Canada. The University Press of Kansas, 1998.

Bartlett, R. D. & Patricia P. Bartlett. Guide and Reference to the Snakes of Western North America (North of Mexico) and Hawaii. University Press of Florida, 2009.

Bartlett, R. D. & Alan Tennant. Snakes of North America - Western Region. Gulf Publishing Co., 2000.

Brown, Philip R. A Field Guide to Snakes of California. Gulf Publishing Co., 1997.

Ernst, Carl H., Evelyn M. Ernst, & Robert M. Corker. Snakes of the United States and Canada. Smithsonian Institution Press, 2003.

Wright, Albert Hazen & Anna Allen Wright. Handbook of Snakes of the United States and Canada. Cornell University Press, 1957.

Joseph Grinnell and Charles Lewis Camp. A Distributional List of the Amphibians and Reptiles of California. University of California Publications in Zoology Vol. 17, No. 10, pp. 127-208. July 11, 1917.



Conservation Status

The following conservation status listings for this animal are taken from the January 2024 State of California Special Animals List and the January 2024 Federally Listed Endangered and Threatened Animals of California list (unless indicated otherwise below.) Both lists are produced by multiple agencies every year, and sometimes more than once per year, so the conservation status listing information found below might not be from the most recent lists. To make sure you are seeing the most recent listings, go to this California Department of Fish and Wildlife web page where you can search for and download both lists:
https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Data/CNDDB/Plants-and-Animals.

A detailed explanation of the meaning of the status listing symbols can be found at the beginning of the two lists. For quick reference, I have included them on my Special Status Information page.

If no status is listed here, the animal is not included on either list. This most likely indicates that there are no serious conservation concerns for the animal. To find out more about an animal's status you can also go to the NatureServe and IUCN websites to check their rankings.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The current Special Animals List does not cover the Coast Mountain Kingsnake (Lampropeltis multifasciata) but the California Department of Fish and Wildlife affords protection to some populations of the species.

The information below is about snakes that can be legally collected from the CDFW Sportfishing Regulations, which, unlike this web site, uses taxonomy that recognizes subspecies of L. zonata. Basically, L. zonata can be collected but the two southern California subspecies L. z. pulchra and L.z. parvirubra are protected, as well as all L. z. multifasciata found in Ventura County.


"California mountain kingsnake (Lampropeltis zonata), except
San Diego mountain kingsnake (Lampropeltis zonata pulchra) and
San Bernardino mountain kingsnake (Lampropeltis zonata parvirubra): Limit: One (1).
See Special Closure: (f) (9):
(f) (9)
No California mountain kingsnakes (Lampropeltis zonata) may be taken in Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, and Ventura counties."
Organization Status Listing  Notes
NatureServe Global Ranking
NatureServe State Ranking
U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA) None
California Endangered Species Act (CESA) None
California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Bureau of Land Management
USDA Forest Service
IUCN
 

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