Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello, my sons found this snake by our house, near an irrigation canal. They were collecting the sea shells by the canal, and it actually came out of the water and crawled into the bucket they had for the shells. It was just after dusk and they were just about to head home when he made himself at home. The kids being afraid of it, came home crying, so I put it into this bucket to look at it. I read through this forum and found someone describing this snake to a "T", but they live in Alabama and was told it is an Eastern King Snake. But, since we live in the Southwest, I am not sure if it is an Eastern King Snake.

THANKS!!!

Tink,
I'm no kingsnake expert, but it looks alot like my son's california kingsnake. No matter what it is, it's interesting that it crawled up into the bucket. Most wild snakes hide or flee from humans unless cornered. This one isn't bothered by them at all, which makes me wonder: where is it's human?

althea

Thanks Althea,
I looked up the California Kingsnake and he does look like that. The kids want to keep him so we are going to do some more research about taking care of it and hopefully he does well with us.

Thanks again!!!

April

California Kingsnake. Quite common in the irrigated farmlands around Phoenix. Neat little snake. Would make a good pet, if you want a kingsnake as a pet.
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Chris Harrison
San Antonio, TX

Thanks Chris! I looked up the California Kingsnake, and I agree, it does look like that. The kids really want to keep it, but I wasn't going to promise anything, until I knew how hearty they are in captivity. Sounds like it will do good if we keep him, he's not too big.
Thanks again!!!

April

hes probably going to get a little bigger, but they are pretty hardy snakes

it is a Eastern King Snake thay are the only snake that looks like that