Recently when I released a WC kingsnake (released in the exact collection location, kept captive for only a few days) - he did that head raising thing, which I had not seen in california kingsnakes (it is quite common with racers, however).

He raised his head at least 8 inches off of the ground to have a look around, and then lowered it to smell the grass and choose a path to crawl off into the bushes.

My baby Pyro Pyro also does it, she does it quite often when out.
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3.0 WC; 0.1 CB L. getula californiae
0.1 CB L. pyromelana pyromelana
0.1 WC; 10 eggs (7/11) Elgaria multicarinata multicarinata