California Kingsnake
Lampropeltis californiae · Colubridae
Also called: Cal King
A striking black-and-white banded constrictor of the western US and a hugely popular pet. Harmless to people and immune to rattlesnake venom.
What the California Kingsnake looks like
How to identify it
- 1Bold alternating brown-black and white/cream bands (or stripes in some)
- 2Smooth, glossy scales
- 3Muscular, medium-sized body
- 4Round pupils, no rattle
Snakes it's confused with
Venomous; coral snakes have red, yellow and black rings, not black-and-white bands.
Behavior & danger to humans
Docile; a beneficial rattlesnake predator.
✓ Good news: Harmless. Keeps rattlesnakes and rodents in check.
Related snakes
Non-venomousCorn Snake
Pantherophis guttatus
A harmless, beneficial constrictor and one of the most popular pet snakes in the world. Frequently mistaken for the venomous copperhead.
Non-venomousEastern Ratsnake
Pantherophis alleghaniensis
A large, harmless constrictor and one of the best natural rodent controllers around homes and farms. Juveniles are gray and blotched, leading to copperhead confusion.
Non-venomousNorthern Watersnake
Nerodia sipedon
A harmless aquatic snake constantly killed out of fear that it is a cottonmouth. It bites readily when grabbed but has no venom.
Non-venomousScarlet Kingsnake
Lampropeltis elapsoides
A harmless coral snake mimic. Its red bands touch black bands — 'red touches black, friend of Jack' — separating it from the venomous coral snake.