What Is the Life Cycle of a California King Snake?

The kingsnake is a common variety of snake, generally ranging in length from 2 feet to 4 feet. It is easily recognizable by the kaleidoscope of colors and patterns over its body. The California kingsnake tends to have wide dark bands separated by thinner cream colored bands.

Mating

Kingsnakes reach their sexual maturity between age 3 and age 4. The kingsnake's courtship involves an elaborate neck nibbling ritual, with males competing over the females. Some males actually battle over which one gets to mate with the female. Mating occurs from early spring to late spring--approximately from March to June.

Reproduction

A few weeks after mating occurs, usually in June or July, the female lays a clutch of two to 20 eggs, sometimes in a dead log or abandoned rodent burrow. The mother then leaves the eggs. Within seven to 12 weeks, or approximately 70 days, hatchlings emerge from the eggs. They will be approximately 8 inches to 13 inches long.

Activity

Kingsnakes favor particular temperatures. They are more active when the weather is cool or warm, not cold or hot. People will notice them in the middle of the day in the cooler spring and fall months. The snakes also are active in the early morning during hotter summer weather. Cold weather in winter keeps kingsnakes inactive.

Habitat

Kingsnakes live in a variety of areas, ranging from desert basins to wetlands, valleys to hills and estuaries to grasslands. Generally, they prefer the seclusion of dense vegetation, rodent burrows and rotting logs. You can find the California kingsnake virtually everywhere in the state--even Santa Catalina Island, a southernmost offshore island.

Predators

Though kingsnakes received their name because they eat other snakes, they also have natural predators. Badgers and raccoons, hawks and occasionally other snakes will hunt them.

Life Span

Kingsnakes can live up to 20 years or more.

References

• Desert USA: Common Kingsnake
• Digital-Desert: Mohave Desert: Common Kingsnake