Gray-banded Kingsnake

Lampropeltis alterna

Venom Status:

Non Venomous

 

Characteristics:

This 2 ½ to 3 ½ foot long snake is immune to the venom of pit vipers. Perhaps the most variable of the kingsnakes, this species occurs in 2 distinctly different, but themselves variable, color morphs. These were initially identified as the Blair’s and the Davis Mountain kingsnakes, names still used by kingsnake enthusiasts. It was eventually learned that both phases could occur in a single clutch of eggs. In both morphs the color gray is a constant but beyond this the variability begins. The snake may be simply black banded but the bands often alternate, one incomplete followed by one complete band. The bands may be broadened dorsally and include a varying amount of maroon, orange, or red in their makeup. Or the red may be prominent, being outlined by narrow black edging followed by even a narrower white edging. The belly is gray with black areas. It forages after dark

 

Unique Features:

n both morphs the color gray, either light or dark, predominates. Beyond this the variability begins. Dark stripe (sometimes barely discernible) from eye to angle of mouth

 

Habitat and Diet:

Chihuahuan Desert. This is a very secretive but common nocturnal inhabitant of rocky mountain slopes, cliff faces, roadcuts, or hillsides. Primarily feeds on lizards; smaller snakes, amphibians

 

Geographic Range:

TX, NM