Found stretched across the Backbone Trail. There had been a slight rain during the morning and thunderstorms were moving into the area. The rain was brought by the remnants of Tropical Storm Dolores. I specifically went mtn biking today in hopes of finding a mtn kingsnake moving with the change in weather. Was thrilled to observe this rather large adult.
Rattlesnake displaying defense mechanism by shaking its rattle in order to frighten predators.
Location check
Observation and photo by Jeff Sanders, sent to rascals@nhm.org.
A small adult California Kingsnake that we discovered underneath a cover board in the late morning of a warm day.
This particular specimen measured approximately 85 - 90 cm in total length. We are not certain of it's sex, and we did not squeeze around its vent to check for any hemipenes emerged to emerge.
Found in Ventura County on border of Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy