A Docile Killer

Dangerous snake? It sure is - if you are a nestling bird, small mammal, or lizard. If you are a human being, it is mostly harmless. The Sierra mountain kingsnake (Lampropeltis zonata multicincta), with its rings of white, reddish orange, and black, has to be the most spectacularly colored snake in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Some call it the coral kingsnake because of its somewhat similar appearance to the venomous coral snake. Fortunately for vacationers in the Sierra, the nearest wild coral snake lives in Arizona.

One spring day, I found this one coiled up on the edge of the road near Bridalveil Fall in Yosemite Valley. While disturbing the wildlife isn't allowed in the park, I was concerned that it might become roadkill. I decided to move it away from the pavement. Tentatively at first, I reached toward the snake, and when it didn't try to bite me or slither away, I slipped my hand under a couple of its coils and gently lifted it. It was completely docile. Its skin was cool, dry, and smooth to the touch and not slimy like many people might believe. I marveled at how it moved without any limbs. It just slid gently through my fingers. At one point it tried to wedge its head into my armpit.

After a moment appreciating this beautiful serpent, I walked out into the pine and oak woodland nearby and released it. I took a few pictures and walked away. I had gone only a few paces when I turned around to take one last look. I was surprised at how hard it was to see despite its bright coloring. These woodlands are typical habitat for the Sierra mountain kingsnake. The bands of dark and light break up its overall shape and blend with the mottled forest floor.

This particular individual was a full-grown 40 inches long. The Sierra mountain kingsnake hunts during the day at this time of the year. It becomes nocturnal when summer days become too hot. This king snake moves about looking for bird nests it may raid for eggs or nestlings. Small mammals like mice are also on its menu, as are other snakes, including rattlesnakes. The Sierra mountain kingsnake kills its prey by throwing a few coils of its body around its quarry's torso and squeezing tighter with each exhaled breath. Eventually, the prey succumbs, and the snake slowly swallows the carcass whole.

I've seen Sierra mountain kingsnakes before in Yosemite Valley. They are excellent climbers. Once, while demonstrating a rescue operation at an interpretive program, I saw one. I had climbed up a crack about 60 feet and set up a belay station. As I sat there belaying the second climber up, I saw a fully-grown kingsnake working its way up the same crack I had just ascended. It came right up, glided between my legs and continued up the mountain.

To protect such innocent and beautiful creatures is yet another good reason to care for wild places especially national parks.