Lampropeltis Alterna, more commonly known as the Gray-Banded Kingsnake, can be
pleasurable addition to any keepers collection. They are relatively easy to keep and failry
common in the herp industry today.
There are two basic types of Alterna. Originally, they were thought to be two different
species. The Blairi and the Alterna. Examples of both can be found towards the bottom
of this page in the photograph section. Blairi being identified by the large colored
saddles on a gray background with black and white highlights. Alterna by not having
the large saddles and typically on a black background. They were found to be of
one species when both types hatched out of one clutch and thus they were grouped together.
They are primarily nocturnal snakes found naturally in the Southwestern United States.
