Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Yes, I know. Official range maps show the CA Mountain Kingsnake range ending in southern or central OR. They are wrong.

When the Columbia River pushed thru the Cascade Mountains, forming the Colubmia River gorge about 18,000 years ago, a small population was stranded near Beacon Rock. Local people have seen them in canyons near there recently (I know where, it's a secret).

Has anyone in the Pacific NW seen these personally and know where to locate them?

I don't want to capture any, just want to photograph and preserve them.

Don
Vancouver, WA

There were some pictures of zonata found in the gorge on here last year. Apparently they are around, people find them.
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Chris Harrison

Of CA Mountain Kings from the OR/WA gorge area?

If any were posted last year, I missed them. I'd love to see photos.

I found 2 there back in 1996 or 1997 for our phylogeny study. You can find them between the White Salmon River and the Klicitat River. More common then people think, but totally protected now. They are no big deal though, as phenotypically and genetically they are basically the same as the zonata found in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. All my pics are slides.
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Rick Staub
R&R Reptiles

Peterson Field Guuides
Western Reptiles & Amphibians
Robert C. Stbbins
2nd edition, 1985

Shows an isolated population in the gorge, even on the OR side! I overlooked the range map originally, was more focused on getula species.

Wow! Now I'm more excited than ever!! Sierra & San Jacinto specimens are the most beautiful I've ever seen.

(The secret canyon I know of is near White Salmon. You probably know of it.)

Thanks for replying.

The Stebbins field guide Western Reptiles and Amphibians (all editions) does place these snakes in Washington in the areas you are refering to. The State of Washington also acknowleges the range of this species in Washington and lists them as a species of special concern (protected).
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Firehouse Herps

Peterson Field Guuides
Western Reptiles & Amphibians
Robert C. Stbbins
2nd edition, 1985

Shows an isolated population in the gorge, even on the OR side! I overlooked the range map originally, was more focused on getula species.

Wow! Now I'm more excited than ever!! Sierra & San Jacinto specimens are the most beautiful I've ever seen.

Thanks for replying.