The snakes of the genus Lampropeltis have long been in a state of great confusion from the systematic standpoint. Only about one-third of the forms now recognized have been at all clearly defined; of the rest some have been known from only a few specimens each, some have been unnaturally divided among several forms, and others have been included under a single name.

A very special young adult nature novel about the life and adventures in survival of a North Carolina king snake, from the time of his hatching until he becomes adult. The story shows the way he lives, how he catches and eats his prey (including other snakes, even poisonous ones), his value in the balance of nature and the fascinating events of his life, shedding new light and understanding about the lives of snakes, which, despite their value to man, are so often misunderstood and deliberately killed just because of what they are or what they are perceived to be.

Alterna: The Gray Banded Kingsnake provides an in depth look into the Gray Banded Kingsnake. Featuring habitat and range information, beautiful color photography throughout, and locality variations, Alterna is a must buy and read for anyone interested in herpetology.