# Grey-Banded Kingsnake (*lampropeltis alterna*) The Grey-Banded Kingsnake is a beautiful snake with striking gray and black bands. It loves to explore its surroundings and is a great friend to have in your backyard! - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Rocky and mountainous areas, often in dry regions. - **Also known as:** Alterna Kingsnake, Gray-Banded Snake, Striped Kingsnake ![Grey-Banded Kingsnake](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Serpent_roi_bandes_grises_01.JPG&width=800) Photo: Copyrighted free use · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Serpent_roi_bandes_grises_01.JPG) ## Appearance The Grey-Banded Kingsnake has a slender body with striking patterns of grey or tan scales, boldly marked by distinct, darker bands, often reddish-orange, outlined in black. Its head is usually dark with lighter markings, blending seamlessly with its body. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Squamata - **Order:** Serpentes - **Family:** Colubridae - **Genus:** Lampropeltis ## Interesting facts - They are amazing climbers, often scaling rocky cliffs to find warm basking spots! - This snake's scientific name, 'alterna', refers to its alternating colorful band patterns! - Threatened? They'll shake their tail like a rattlesnake, but they're not venomous! - Young kingsnakes eat small lizards; adults prefer rodents and other snakes. ## Special abilities - **Powerful Hugger:** Grey-Banded Kingsnake can squeeze its prey tightly using powerful constriction, making it easier to eat. - **Snake Eater Immunity:** Grey-Banded Kingsnake has natural resistance to some snake venoms, allowing them to eat other snakes. - **Rock Blocker Camouflage:** Grey-Banded Kingsnake has banded patterns that help them blend perfectly with rocky desert environments. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 60-100 cm - **Weight:** 0.2-0.5 kg - **Lifespan:** 10-20 years - **Speed:** 2 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 3-13 - **Incubation:** 60-70 days ## Diet & Feeding A stealthy hunter, it dines on rodents, lizards, and even other snakes it catches! - **Age differences:** Young snakes eat smaller lizards and insects, while adults prey on rodents and other snakes. - **Primary Foods:** rodents, lizards, other snakes, small birds - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** [Western Diamondback Rattlesnake](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-diamondback-rattlesnake) (*Crotalus atrox*) — Preys on this venomous rattlesnake species. - **Hunts:** [Deer Mouse](https://www.snappit.app/explore/deer-mouse) (*Peromyscus maniculatus*) — A common prey item in its natural habitat. - **Eaten by:** [Red-tailed Hawk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-tailed-hawk) (*Buteo jamaicensis*) — Young snakes can be prey for these birds. - **Eaten by:** [Coyote](https://www.snappit.app/explore/coyote) (*Canis latrans*) — An opportunistic predator of various snakes. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always observe snakes from a distance and never attempt to touch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Grey-Banded Kingsnake? Compare the full body pattern, build, head markings and tail. Color can shift with age and lighting. Rules of thumb about triangular heads or round pupils aren't a reliable way to tell whether a snake is venomous. Snake Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Grey-Banded Kingsnake? 60-100 cm ### How much does Grey-Banded Kingsnake weigh? 0.2-0.5 kg ### How long does Grey-Banded Kingsnake live? 10-20 years ### How fast can Grey-Banded Kingsnake move? 2 km/h ### What does Grey-Banded Kingsnake eat? A stealthy hunter, it dines on rodents, lizards, and even other snakes it catches! ### Where is Grey-Banded Kingsnake usually found? Rocky and mountainous areas, often in dry regions. ### How does Grey-Banded Kingsnake hunt? Ambush ## More Reptiles - [Pond Slider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pond-slider) (*Trachemys scripta*) - [Western Fence Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-fence-lizard) (*Sceloporus occidentalis*) - [Common Five-lined Skink](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-five-lined-skink) (*Plestiodon fasciatus*) - [Desert Spiny Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/desert-spiny-lizard) (*Sceloporus magister*) --- Source: [Grey-Banded Kingsnake: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/grey-banded-kingsnake)