California Kingsnake

diagnosis

Diagnosis: The California Kingsnake (L. californiae) is a medium- to large-bodied constrictor, with a mean adult size range of 76 – 122 cm, and a maximum size of ~ 200 cm (Stebbins 2003). In both sexes, ventral scale counts range from 213 – 255, with 46 – 63 subcaudal scales in males and 44 – 57 in females (Blaney 1977). Scales are smooth and anal plate single, with 23 – 25 dorsal scale rows at midbody. The California Kingsnake exhibits one of the broadest ranges of any kingsnake species, occupying most habitats west of the continental divide at the Cochise filter barrier (Fig. 2). The species ranges from Oregon in the north, through the Great Basin in Nevada and Utah, east to extreme southwestern Colorado, south through the majority of California, Arizona and the Mexican states of Sonora, Baja California Norte, and Baja Sur (Fig. 2). The California Kingsnake can be distinguished from other species on the basis of color pattern, possibly the most distinct of the group. Throughout the majority of their range, California Kingsnakes exhibit a black or dark brown ground color, with 21 – 44 broad crossbands of white or light yellow, which typically widen laterally. Along the Pacific coa

Systematics of the Common Kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula; Serpentes: Colubridae) and the burden of heritage in taxonomy

etymology

Etymology: Specific epithet refers to the type locality. Synonymy: This species is essentially co-terminous with the previously recognized subspecies L. g. californiae, and L. g. nigrita.

Systematics of the Common Kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula; Serpentes: Colubridae) and the burden of heritage in taxonomy

materials_examined

Holotype: Unknown, collected by M. Botta. Type Locality: ‘ California’ (Blainville 1835). Restricted to Fresno, California by Schmidt (1953).

Systematics of the Common Kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula; Serpentes: Colubridae) and the burden of heritage in taxonomy