Kingsnake / Milksnake
Arizona Mountain Kingsnake
HarmlessLampropeltis pyromelana
6 photographs of the Arizona Mountain Kingsnake. © Alexandre Passos.
The Arizona Mountain Kingsnake (Lampropeltis pyromelana) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 2 countries.
- Also called
- Kingsnake / Milksnake
- Family
- Colubridae
- Size
- 2–5 ft.
- Habitat
- Forests, farmland, grasslands, and suburbs.
- Behavior
- Powerful constrictors that eat other snakes — including venomous ones; gentle but may musk or vibrate the tail.
- Identify
- Smooth, glossy scales with bold bands or chain-like patterns. Milksnakes mimic coral snakes, but red touches black.
About the Arizona Mountain Kingsnake
Lampropeltis pyromelana, the Sonoran mountain kingsnake or Arizona mountain kingsnake, is a species of snake native to the southwestern United States. It can grow up to 36 inches (910 mm) in length.
Distribution and habitat
Within Arizona, L. pyromelana has a discontinuous range extending from the extreme northwestern corner of the state, across the central mountain ranges and the Mogollon Rim, into the "sky island" mountain ranges of the southeast. They can be found at elevations ranging from 3,000–9,000 feet (910–2,740 m) in a variety of habitats from chaparral to conifer forests, often near streams or springs and associated with juniper woodland.
Ecology
Lampropeltis pyromelana feeds on lizards, rodents and nestling birds. It tends to spend the daytime among rocks, logs, or dense clumps of vegetation.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Arizona Mountain Kingsnake
- Is the Arizona Mountain Kingsnake venomous?
- No. The Arizona Mountain Kingsnake (Lampropeltis pyromelana) is non-venomous and is not considered dangerous to humans. Like most snakes, it will retreat rather than bite when given the chance.
- Is the Arizona Mountain Kingsnake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Arizona Mountain Kingsnake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Arizona Mountain Kingsnake dangerous?
- The Arizona Mountain Kingsnake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Arizona Mountain Kingsnake live?
- The Arizona Mountain Kingsnake has verified records in 2 countries, including United States of America, Mexico. See the distribution section below for its full range.
- How do I identify the Arizona Mountain Kingsnake?
- Smooth, glossy scales with bold bands or chain-like patterns. Milksnakes mimic coral snakes, but red touches black.
- How big does the Arizona Mountain Kingsnake get?
- 2–5 ft.
Where it is found
By U.S. state
Snakes it is confused with
Texas CoralsnakeVenomousA harmless mimic of the US coral snake. On US coral snakes red bands touch yellow; on these mimics red usually touches black. This color rule is reliable ONLY in the United States — it does not hold for coral snakes elsewhere.
Arizona Mountain Kingsnake vs Texas Coralsnake→
More Colubridae snakes
Eastern MilksnakeLampropeltis triangulum
California King SnakeLampropeltis californiae
Speckled KingsnakeLampropeltis holbrooki
Eastern KingsnakeLampropeltis getula
Black KingsnakeLampropeltis nigra
Prairie KingsnakeLampropeltis calligaster
Western MilksnakeLampropeltis gentilis
Desert KingsnakeLampropeltis splendida
Classification
How scientists group this snake, from the broadest category down to the exact species. Each step narrows to its closest relatives.
- OrderThe broad group of scaled reptiles: all snakes and lizards
- Squamata
- FamilyA group of related snakes that share key traits
- Colubridae
- GenusA close-knit group of very similar species
- Lampropeltis
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Lampropeltis pyromelana
Keep learning
- What to Do If You Find a SnakeFound a snake at home or on a trail? Here is how to stay calm, give it space, identify it safely, and know when to call a professional.
- Venomous vs Nonvenomous: How to Tell the DifferenceThe folk rules for telling venomous snakes apart, where each one fails, and why location-based identification beats guessing by sight.
- What Is a Snake? Anatomy and the BasicsA clear overview of what makes a snake a snake: limbless body plan, anatomy, evolution from lizards, species diversity, and why they are ectothermic.
- How to Keep Snakes Out of Your Yard and HomeA practical guide to keeping snakes out of your yard and home using habitat changes that work, plus what to skip and what to do if one shows up.
Distribution from GBIF & iNaturalist. Venom status per CDC. Background: Wikipedia. Informational only. Never handle a snake to identify it.