california kingsnake adult in defensive pose with everted vent and rattling tail.

vent tail rattle vibration scales serpents beautiful brown cream bay area california santa clara county adult alert angry animal banded black kingsnake cautious closeup coiled colubrid common constrictors curled danger deadly defensive fauna king snake lampropeltis getula californiae looking camera natural nature nonpoisonous nonvenomous north america outdoors pet predators reptile rings serpent viper widespread wild wildlife