Description: In the wild, most kingsnakes are moderately sized, reaching an average length of 3 or 4 feet, and tend to be plump and stocky in girth. However, in captivity, some kingsnakes can exceed 5 feet. This is most likely attributed to the larger and more stable diet they receive in captivity, compared to what they might receive in the wild. These snakes can weigh up to 3lbs. as they reach adulthood (dependent on their size), and can live anywhere between 20 and 30 years.

Juveniles sometimes carry small spots of white or yellow, particularly under their chin; however, those markings commonly either fade or disappear entirely as they mature. A full grown adult will usually have no discernible rings or other markings of any kind. It is, however, a common misconception that this subspecies of kingsnake is black in color. In actuality, they are of a deep, dark, chocolate—something that is highly visible under direct light. The scales reflects a blue shimmer

Habitat: Habitats include woodlands, savannas, shrublands, and grasslands, often near streams or other moisture sources, including disturbed areas. During inactive periods, these snakes may be found under rocks, logs, human-generated debris, or other surface cover, or in burrows, ground fissures, wells, cisterns, old building foundations, or similar sites

Range: various regions of the Sonora Desert, Northwestern Sinaloa, Mexico, and small parts of Arizona.

Found in these States: AZ

Diet: Their diet includes other snakes — particularly rattlesnakes which are also common to the region—and as result, has developed a resilience to various kinds of venom. This species will also consume small rodents, lizards, birds, and eggs.

Reproduction: The mating season occurs during spring when Mexican black kingsnake males begin their search for females. The Mexican black kingsnake is oviparous meaning they are egg-layers. Females lay a single clutch of up to 24 eggs, 40 to 65 days after copulation. Usually, they breed every year but when prey is scarce, females may choose not to breed. Like most other snakes species females provide no parental care to the eggs.

Hatchlings are born after an incubation period of 50 to 60 days, they measure around 7 inches long and must fend for themselves immediately. The hatchlings will shed their skin for the first time roughly a week after birth. They grow quickly and maturity is reached in two or three years.

Status: Listed as Least Concern in view of the large extent of occurrence, large number of collection sites and locations, and because the species is unlikely to be declining fast enough to qualify for listing in a more threatened category.

Taxonomy: July 5, 2018 the taxon was changed from Lampropeltis getula nigrita to Lampropeltis splendida nigrita