Mexican Black Kingsnake

Appearance

The enamel of their scales reflects a "blueish" shimmer (pictured left), a trait made prominent on their ventral scales (likely due to their size, shape, and smoothness), and has been likened to that of the inside of an oyster shell. While this characteristic is found in many colubrids, it is exceptionally apparent on this particular species due to the rich, dark color of its scales. Lampropeltis means "shiny shield" (from Greek λαμπρος, "shine" + πελτα, "shield").

Younglings sometimes carry small spots of white or yellow, particularly under their chin; however, those markings commonly either fade or disappear entirely as they mature. A full grown adult will usually have no discernible rings or other markings of any kind. It is, however, a common misconception that this subspecies of kingsnake is black in color. In actuality, they are of a deep, dark, chocolate—something that is highly visible under direct light.

Distribution

This species occupy rocky areas and places lush with vegetation in various regions of the Sonoran Desert, Northwestern Sinaloa, Mexico, and small parts of Arizona.

Behavior

Like all kingsnakes, the Mexican black kingsnake is a constrictor, using its powerful body to envelop and asphyxiate its prey, and therefore lacks venom. Their diet does include other snakes (ophiophagy) — particularly rattlesnakes which are also common to the region—and as result, has developed a resilience to various kinds of venom.

This species (not unlike other Kingsnakes) occupy rocky areas and places lush with vegetation in various regions of the Sonora Desert, Northwestern Sinaloa, Mexico, and small parts of Arizona. Recent evidence suggests that species found within Arizona, despite their dark markings, are actually a cross between the Mexican black Kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula nigrita), the California kingsnake (Lampropeltis californiae), or the desert kingsnake (Lampropeltis splendida). The various kingsnakes in these areas often interbreed and are no longer considered "pure" Mexican black kingsnakes. The Mexican black kingsnake's diet consists mainly of small rodents, lizards, birds, eggs, and other snakes.

They are opportunistic hunters that will frequent the burrows of rodents and other small creatures, looking for their next meal. While they are a terrestrial species, they have been known to climb low vegetation and are also excellent swimmers.