The Desert Kingsnake is a medium sized species of snake that is native to parts of Arizona, Texas and New Mexico.
These snakes are considered docile and are often kept in captivity as pets. When encountered in the wild, they will often ‘play dead’ in an attempt to get you to leave them alone.
Desert Kingsnake Taxonomy
In the Animal Kingdom, Taxonomy is used as the science and practice of classifying different species and sub-species based on their biological and genetic makeup.
Family
The Desert Kingsnake belongs to the Colubridae or Colubrid family of snakes. This is the largest family of Snakes in the world consisting of many popular species such as Corn Snakes and Milk Snakes.
With around 250 different genera of Colubrids, these snakes can be found on every continent except Antarctica which also makes them the most widely distributed family of snake in the world.
The vast majority of Colubrid snakes are non-venomous, or at least contain a venom that isn’t considered to be medically significant to humans.
However, there are a number of species of Colubrid snakes that contain venom capable of killing humans. This includes species from the Boiga and Rhabdophis genera as well as other snakes such as the Boomslang.
Genus
The Desert Kingsnake belongs to the Lampropeltis genus. This genus contains the New World Kingsnakes and Milk Snakes.
The Kingsnake gets its name from the fact that they often eat other snakes, including Rattlesnakes. Similarly, the King Cobra gets its name from its tendency to also eat other snakes.
The scientific name ‘Lampropeltis’ comes from the Greek words ‘lampro’ and ‘pelte’ which loosely translates to ‘shiny shield’. This is a reference to these snake’s smooth, enamel-like dorsal scales.
Species
The scientific name for the Desert Kingsnake is Lampropeltis splendida.
Desert Kingsnake Description
The background color of a Desert Kingsnake is black or dark brown. They have light brown or creamy-yellow colored speckling that covers most of their body.
These speckles run up from the sides of the snake and across their back creating a crossband like pattern.
The belly of a Desert Kingsnake is black in color but they often contain white or yellowish blotches.
Natural Habitat and Distribution
The Desert Kingsnake can be found in some of the hot regions of the Southern United States. They can also be found in parts of Northern Mexico.
In the United States, these snakes can be found in places such as Southern Arizona, much of New Mexico and a large portion of Western Texas.
In Mexico, they can be found in regions such as Sonora, Chihuahua, Coahuila and Nuevo Leon.
They will live in a variety of different habitats within their range but despite their name, they are not true desert animals.
These snakes like to live in habitats with vegetation such as scrubland, forests and prairies. They can often be found near sources of water such as along river banks.
They share some of the same geographical range with species such as the Arizona Mountain Kingsnake, California Kingsnake, Western Diamondback Rattlesnake and the Prairie Rattlesnake. However, they don’t necessarily share the same habitats with these species.
Desert Kingsnake Diet
In the wild, a Desert Kingsnake will feed on a variety of different animals. They are a strong constrictor and will feed on small mammals and rodents that it can over power.
They are known to eat reptile eggs and will also feed on other reptiles including snakes.
Kingsnakes have a tolerance to Pit Viper Venom and will feed on venomous snakes within their range. Young Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes are a common meal for these snakes.
