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Canyon Lizard - Sceloporus merriami annulatus Here is a big part of the reason that those juvenile alterna have you pulling your hair out. Gray Banded Kingsnakes are serious lizard eaters and generally consider rodents as an occaisionally acceptable but definitely "secondary" food choice. Most, however, readily accept North American Deer Mouse, Peromyscus maniculatus, voluntarily - even after rejecting the Euro-Asian Mouse, Mus musculus. This makes sense because Gray Banded Kingsnakes did not evolve with Mus musculus and it is a wonder that they recognize them at all as food. This photo was taken in situ, deep in the heart of alterna habitat - who knows what could be lurking in the depths of that crack. |