‘Astonishingly’ huge kingsnake encountered by conservation crew

A Southern California conservation worker recently encountered what might be described as the king of kingsnakes.

Southern California conservation workers recently encountered what might be described as the king of kingsnakes.

The enormous kingsnake, spotted last month by members of the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority, measured an estimated 7 feet. The average California kingsnake measures about half that size.

The MRCA explained via Facebook that Alberto Silva was inspecting a restoration site near Liberty Canyon in Agoura Hills – the crew had been planting oak trees – when he saw the snake slithering toward a busy road.

“Fearing this long native snake may not be able to avoid vehicles, Alberto quickly rushed into action using a large branch to safely lift and gently move the snake back to a planted area,” the MRCA stated.

Dash Stolarz, an MRCA spokeswoman, told FTW Outdoors that the crew was “astonished” by the size of the kingsnake. She added that the crew also spotted a “more averaged-sized kingsnake” in the same area north of the Ventura Freeway.

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California kingsnakes rarely exceed 4 feet in length. Although larger specimens have been documented, a 7-foot kingsnake is considered extraordinary.

The snakes are endemic to the western U.S. and northern Mexico. They’re known for their striking appearance – a typical kingsnake is black with white or cream-colored rings, but color patterns vary.

Kingsnakes are nonvenomous constrictors that prey on rodents, frogs, lizards, and other snakes, including venomous rattlesnakes.

Liberty Canyon is the site of the future Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing, which will connect the Simi Hills to the Santa Monica Mountains via a 210-foot vegetated overpass that will span the Ventura Freeway.

The bridge, expected to be completed by the end of 2023, will become the largest urban wildlife crossing of its kind and benefit mountain lions and other critters. Apparently, that includes abnormally massive snakes.

In describing the recent kingsnake encounter, the MRCA began its Facebook post by jokingly stating, “We’re going to need a bigger wildlife crossing.”

–Image showing Alberto Silva with the kingsnake is courtesy of the Mountain Recreation Conservation Authority