Nicknamed the "king" because they eat other snakes — including venomous copperheads, cottonmouths, and rattlesnakes. They're immune to North American pit-viper venom.
§ Quick facts
§ Encyclopedia
Lampropeltis getula, commonly known as the eastern kingsnake, the common kingsnake, and the chain kingsnake, is a species of harmless snake in the subfamily Colubrinae of the family Colubridae. The species is native to the southeastern United States. It has long been a favorite among collectors. Four subspecies are recognized as being valid, including the nominate subspecies described here. All of these taxa had originally been described as distinct species and recognized as such for more than a century.
Source: Wikipedia — Lampropeltis getula Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
§ Identification
Field marks. Long black snake with bright yellow or cream chain-like banding on body.
Similar species. Eastern Black King Snake (no chain pattern). Black Racer (no markings).
Voice. Vibrates tail rapidly when alarmed.
§ Diet & behavior
Diet. Snakes (including venomous), small mammals, birds, lizards.
Behavior. Active predator of venomous snakes. Constrictor; immune to most US pit viper venoms. Patrol-style hunting.
§ Range
Eastern US from New Jersey to Florida and west to Louisiana
§ Habitat
Pine forests, hardwood bottomlands, agricultural fields with cover
§ Threats
Habitat loss to development, road mortality, illegal collection for pet trade, persecution.
§ Conservation status
According to the IUCN Red List, the eastern king snake is currently classified as Least Concern.
§ What helps
Don't kill king snakes — they're among the best free pest control you can have. Drive carefully on rural roads at dusk.
§ Further reading
- Wikipedia — Lampropeltis getula
- www.nwf.org — authoritative profile of Lampropeltis getula
- IUCN Red List · taxon 63864
- iNaturalist · taxon 29465
- GBIF occurrence records
- Encyclopedia of Life — Lampropeltis getula
§ Sources cited
- The Orianne Society
- iNaturalist
- IUCN Red List 2007
