Desert Kingsnake
Lampropeltis splendida
A lightly speckled kingsnake from the arid Southwest, similar in appearance to the speckled kingsnake but adapted to desert environments.
- Venomous?
- Non-venomous
- Adult length
- 0.9-1.2 m (3-4 ft)
- Range
- Southwestern United States and northern Mexico
Found a snake like this?
Identify any snake from a photo, free.
Overview
The Desert Kingsnake inhabits the arid and semi-arid regions of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, including Texas, New Mexico, and adjacent Mexican states. It is closely related to the speckled kingsnake, and the two were formerly considered the same species.
Adapted to hot, dry environments, this kingsnake is a resourceful predator that takes advantage of a wide range of prey, including venomous snakes.
How to identify it
- Dark brown to black body with pale yellow spots or speckling, often forming faint crossbands or a more blotched pattern than the speckled kingsnake
- Smooth, glossy scales
- Head only slightly distinct from the neck, with round pupils
- Stocky, muscular body typical of kingsnakes
- Distinguished from the speckled kingsnake by geography and a tendency toward slightly more blotched, less uniformly speckled patterning
Habitat & range
Found in desert scrub, arid grassland, rocky canyons, and river valleys across the southwestern US and northern Mexico, often near water sources or areas with rodent burrows.
Behavior, diet & reproduction
Primarily nocturnal or crepuscular in hot weather, more diurnal in cooler seasons. It is a constrictor with a broad diet including rodents, lizards, birds, eggs, and other snakes including venomous species. It is oviparous, laying eggs during the warmer months.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Desert Kingsnake venomous?
No, it is a non-venomous constrictor.
Where is the Desert Kingsnake found?
In arid regions of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico.
How is the Desert Kingsnake different from the Speckled Kingsnake?
It occupies a more arid range and tends to show a slightly more blotched pattern rather than uniform speckling.
What does the Desert Kingsnake eat?
Rodents, lizards, birds, eggs, and other snakes, including venomous species.
Desert Kingsnake guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding Desert Kingsnake.
