Family: Colubridae, Colubrid Snakes view all from this family

Description 20-41" (50.8-104.1 cm). Tricolored kingsnake with red, black, and white, cream, or yellow bands. Light rings do not widen near belly scales. Black bands border red and light bands and become narrow or disappear on sides. Top of head black; snout light colored. Scales smooth, in 23-25 rows. Anal plate single.

Subspecies Two in our range:
Arizona (L. p. pyromelana), usually more than 43 light rings on body, 10 lower lip scales, in c. and se. Arizona and sw. New Mexico into nw. Mexico; usually fewer than 43 light rings on body, 10 lower lip scales, in Huachuca Mountains, s. Arizona into Mexico..
Utah (L. p. infralabialis), half or more of white body rings cross belly, 9 lower lip scales; e. Nevada, c. Nevada to Grand Canyon area of nw. Arizona.

Breeding Mates in spring. Clutches of 3-6 elongated eggs, 1 1/2-2 3/8" (44-60 cm) long, are deposited June to July and hatch in about 2 1/2-3 months. Young 9-10" (8.8-10 cm) long.

Habitat Chaparral woodland and pine forests in mountainous regions, brushy rocky canyons, talus slopes, and near streams and springs; 2,800-9,100' (850-2,800 m).

Range Nc. Arizona south into Mexico; isolated populations in Utah, Nevada, and Arizona.

Discussion Little is known of this handsome species' natural history. It feeds on lizards and presumably small rodents. Captive longevity exceeds 18 years. Protected in Arizona.