king snake

King Snake Facts

prey

Other snakes, rodents, lizards, birds

group behavior

• solitary
• Lives alone except during mating season

interesting fact

King snakes eat other types of snakes.

diet

carnivore

"King snakes eat other kinds of snakes."

King snakes can climb trees and swim. They are predators that eat rodents, birds, bird eggs, lizards, and other snakes. These snakes are not venomous; instead, they crush their prey to death. Their lifespan is 10 to 15 years.

4 Surprising Facts About King Snakes

• They are immune to the venom of other snakes
• Its lifespan is 10 to 15 years
• They are sometimes called chain snakes because of the pattern of their scales
• They emit a musky scent to deter predators

where to find them

King snakes live in North America, especially the eastern, western, and southern parts of the United States. Different species of kingsnakes live in different parts of the United States, and some live in Mexico.

The snake's habitat also varies by species. Some of them live in forests and grasslands near water bodies, while others live in desert habitats. In forest or grassland habitats, these snakes hide in hollow trees or under leaves and branches. Alternatively, in deserts, they can be found under rocks or in narrow crevices.

These snakes are active in spring and summer. Their breeding season runs from March to May, and their eggs hatch in late summer.

species

There are six species of king snakes, all of which belong to the snake snake family. Although some of these snakes look similar, they live in different places.

• Common King Snake or Eastern King Snake ( Lampropeltis getula ) – This king snake lives on the east coast of the United States from Pennsylvania to Florida. While they typically grow anywhere from 36 to 48 inches, the longest eastern kingsnake ever recorded was 82 inches.
• California King Snake ( Lampropeltis californae ) – These king snakes live in the clifflands, wetlands and grassland areas of California. It is less colorful than other species of kingsnakes, with white stripes on black or brown scales.
• Spotted Kingsnake (Lampropeltis holbrooki) – This species lives in the central and southern United States and into Mexico. Its territory includes Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, and Texas. Some can even be found as far south as Mexico. It is named for its black body covered with yellow spots or spots.
• Desert King Snake ( Lampropeltis splendida ) – As the name suggests, this snake has a desert habitat. It lives in the southern United States, including Texas and New Mexico, and its territory extends into Mexico. This species is shy and will "play dead" when confronted by humans.
• Black King Snake or Eastern Black King Snake ( Lampropeltis nigra ) – It lives in the southern United States, including Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Louisiana and northern Georgia. Its dark scales distinguish it from the more colorful kingsnakes.
• Scarlet King Snake ( Lampropeltis elapsoides ) – This species is exceptionally colorful with black, red, white and yellow stripes. It lives in the eastern and southeastern United States. This is the smallest of the kingsnakes, usually not exceeding 20 inches in length. However, the largest scarlet kingsnake ever recorded was 28 inches long.

scientific name

Lampropeltis getula is the scientific name for the common snake or eastern king snake. It belongs to the family Colubridae and the class Reptilia. The Greek word Lampropeltis means shiny, and getula refers to its band of scales.

The types of king snakes are:

• termite
• California lantern grass
• impala
• koi carp
• black lantern grass
• longtail tuna

Population and Conservation Status

The number of eastern kingsnakes or common kingsnakes is unknown. But biologists put its population at more than 100,000 adult adults. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species reports its conservation status as Least Concern, with a stable population.

appearance and description

Eastern kingsnakes have black or brown scales and 30 yellow or white vertical bands on their backs. Its underbelly is yellow with jagged black scales.
This kingsnake is very different in appearance from the scarlet kingsnake. Scarlet kingsnakes have alternating bands of bright red, black, white, and yellow.

The typical size of an Eastern kingsnake is 36 to 48 inches long. They weigh up to four pounds. The longest kingsnake ever recorded was 7 feet long!

How to Identify Eastern King Snakes

• Black or brown background of scales
• 30 yellow or white horizontal graduated narrow bands
• Yellow or white belly with jagged black scales

evolution and origin

The earliest known snake ancestor was a nocturnal hunter with tiny hind legs with ankles and toes. Recent research suggests that snakes originated from land, rather than sea, during the Middle Early Cretaceous period (about 128.5 million years ago) in Laurasia. By analyzing the fossils, genetics and anatomy of 73 species of snakes and lizards (living and extinct), researchers were able to better understand what the first snakes were like.

It is believed that the original snakes had two small hind legs and preyed on animals larger than the lizards of the time. It couldn't wrap itself around larger creatures the way modern pythons can. This snake was thought to be nocturnal, but this changed 50-45 million years ago when the Colubroidea snake family emerged, which were mainly diurnal. This may be advantageous, as cooler nighttime temperatures limit nocturnal activity and contribute to their success.

There are many kinds of snakes, with more than 3,400 species living in different habitats including land, water and trees. Research has shown that snakes are able to survive and reproduce in many different kinds of habitats, thanks to their extraordinary ability to disperse over long distances. Scientists estimate that snakes have a range of up to 42,500 square miles, about 4.5 times that of lizards. Furthermore, they manage to inhabit environments normally inaccessible to terrestrial animals and have successfully colonized aquatic habitats several times during their evolution.

Snakes have come a long way since their original ancestors, and remain fascinating species to study. Their ability to adapt to different environments makes them one of the most successful animals on Earth today.

king snake pictures

How dangerous are they?

King snakes are not poisonous. They are shy snakes that would rather glide under foliage or under rocks than face a threat. In fact, a species of kingsnake called the desert kingsnake will play dead when threatened by humans. This means it stays on the ground until the humans leave and the snake can escape safely.

Although shy, king snakes may bite if they feel threatened. Although this snake is not venomous, its bite can be painful. If someone is bitten by a king snake, the first thing to do is wash the wound with soap and warm water. Then, apply first aid ointment on top. If there is pain, applying ice to the area can provide relief.

Remember that the possibility of infection is always there, so it's best to see a doctor if you develop a rash at the bite site.

Behavior and Humans

King snakes are shy and like to hide in their habitats. These snakes are not considered pests. In fact, the opposite is true!

They eat rodents, thereby keeping the rat and mole population in check. Therefore, if homeowners see a king snake in their garden or on their property, they should leave this reptile alone to prey on rodents.

similar animals

• The bull snake (Pituophis catenifer) hisses very loudly due to a modified epiglottis.
• The racer (Coluber constrictor) is long, thin and fast!
• Coachwhips (Masticophis flagellum) like to use a periscope to peer above their home's meadows in search of food.

39 King Snakes

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