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The California mountain kingsnake is a spectacular but increasingly scarce serpent of mountain forests. Like other Lampropeltis kingsnakes, they are powerful constrictors with generalist diets that include mice, lizards, frogs, and other snakes (including rattlesnakes). Their lovely colors are thought to mimic the pattern of highly venemous coral snakes and hence protect the kingsnake from predators. However, a puzzling caveat for that argument is the absence of coral snake populations living anywhere near the California mountain kingsnake's present range. This small individual was found in the Santa Lucia Mountains, part of the Los Padres National Forest in Monterey County. |
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