Description: A medium-sized (total length: 60 - 120 cm [2 - 4 ft]) snake with distinctive red, black, and white bands that encircle the body. The black bands separate the red and white bands, and the white bands are uniformly narrow. The red bands may be complete across the back or may be confined to the sides forming wedges of red within the black bands. The snout generally is white or cream colored. This species can be confused with the venomous Western coral snake (Micruroides euryxanthus), but Western coral snakes do not naturally occur in Nevada. Other black, red, and white-banded snakes can be distinguished from the Sonoran Mountain Kingsnake by having wider white bands on the sides and belly than on the back.
Diet: Feeds on lizards, snakes, and small mammals.
Habitat: Mountains, ranging from pinyon-juniper woodland up to pine-fir habitats. Found in shrublands and conifer forests, often near streams or springs and in or around rotting logs or rocks.
Range: The species occurs from eastern Nevada, central and southwestern Utah, southward through central and southeastern Arizona, and into north-central Mexico. In Nevada, these kingsnakes are found in isolated mountain ranges such as the Shell Creek, Egan, and Snake ranges in White Pine County. May be present in mountain ranges in Clark County; a single locality is documented from the Virgin Mountains.