King snake

King snake

King snakes are not venomous, but they eat rattle snakes. Santa Ynez Mountains, California
Marcsoltan
on May 25, 2010 11:34 am
Image Type(s): Wildlife
Image ID: 624073

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SoCalHiker

SoCalHiker - May 25, 2010 11:45 am - Voted 10/10

Gorgeous animal

I love these snakes. They come in so many color and pattern variations. Beautiful, thanks for posting. Cheers

Marcsoltan

Marcsoltan - May 25, 2010 12:35 pm - Hasn't voted

Re: Gorgeous animal

They really are gorgeous. I tried to get this one to go back into the sun for my photos. He just ignored me and crawled into the bushes. I have seen only two variations in our mountains. The important thing is not mistake king snakes with coral snakes. Coral snakes are extremely venomous and look very similar to king snakes.

SoCalHiker

SoCalHiker - May 25, 2010 12:41 pm - Voted 10/10

Re: Gorgeous animal

Right, but are there coral snakes in California? They do look similar though. I read that the variety of coral snakes found in Arizona has a red band following a yellow band, which differentiates it from kingsnakes.

Marcsoltan

Marcsoltan - May 25, 2010 12:45 pm - Hasn't voted

Re: Gorgeous animal

I have seen a coral snake only once and it was in Yosemite Valley. The difference is like this:
Orange touch yellow, poison kill the fellow,
Orange touch black, poison lack.

I had to repeat this to myself to make sure I wasn't messing with a coral snake.

SoCalHiker

SoCalHiker - May 25, 2010 1:31 pm - Voted 10/10

Re: Gorgeous animal

I see. I always thought they are not found in California. I should be more careful then. I see many kingsnakes here and tend to look at them closely :)

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