Report sightings of suspected exotic animal incursions
See it? Report it. Use the online form for any sightings of suspected exotic animal incursions.
Why is it important to report Californian kingsnake sightings?
The California kingsnake is not native to Australia and could establish in a wide range of Australian habitats including forest, grasslands, semi-desert, desert and agricultural areas.
This snake:
- can eat a wide range of native animals including other snakes, lizards, frogs, birds and small mammals.
- can compete with native species for food and habitat
- can carry diseases and parasites that can affect native species.
Description
California king snakes are native to southwestern USA and northwestern Mexico. Kingsnakes are one of the most widespread snake species in the USA.
California kingsnakes:
- grow up to 1.2 m as adults with their young being 20-25 cm when they hatch
- have smooth, shiny scales and the head is barely wider than the neck
- have distinctive colour bands across a darker body colour
- have many colour variations, they can be black and white or brown with cream and shades of yellow
- are active hunters seeking out their prey. They don’t have venom killing they prey by constriction.
Breeding
California kingsnakes have been bred and actively distributed by the international pet industry with the species now kept both legally and illegally in captivity around the world.
This snake:
- reaches maturity at 3-4 years of age and can live up to 20 years
- lays 6-10 eggs 1-2 months after mating and they hatch after 6 – 8 weeks.