If you’ve lived in California for a while, chances are good that you’ve encountered a king—a kingsnake, that is! Kingsnakes are one of the most widespread snake species in the US.

They are ground-dwelling snakes that often kill and eat other snakes, even venomous ones, including rattlesnakes, copperheads, and cottonmouths—kingsnakes are highly resistant to their venom. Find out more!

King snakes make their home in rock outcrops, brushy hillsides, river valleys, woodlands, fields, and pine forests; and range from southeastern Canada to southern Ecuador.

In most other parts of the U.S. where kingsnakes occur, they are nocturnal. This may be because it is much hotter during the day, and Southern California has such a moderate climate. They may become more nocturnal as summer gets warmer.

In most other parts of the U.S. where kingsnakes occur, they are nocturnal. This may be because it is much hotter during the day, and Southern California has such a moderate climate. They may become more nocturnal as summer gets warmer.

Besides eating other snakes, kings also dine on lizards, rodents, birds, and eggs, counting on their strong stomach acid to dissolve their prey. Since they do not produce venom, kingsnakes use constriction to subdue their prey. Kingsnakes are active hunters, seeking out prey, not ambush hunters like rattlesnakes.