Eastern Kingsnake

Common Name: Eastern Kingsnake
Scientific Name: Lampropelitis Getula Getula

Information Sheet - Eastern Kingsnake

Introduction:

This snake, which is harmless, is one of the many species of the kingsnakes; the eastern kingsnakes are common in Mexican regions. These snakes are also common in areas such as Louisiana, Maryland, South Carolina and Arkansas. It has a unique skin pattern and many people believe that it hunts venomous snakes in order to protect themselves from dying.

Description:

The average length of an adult eastern kingsnake ranges between thirty nine to seventy eight inches. The skins of these snakes are either glossy black, dark brown or blue-black in color. Besides the unique colors, these snakes have between twenty-three and fifty-two white rings on their skin; the white rings and the shine on their skin are what make them distinctive among all the other kingsnakes.

Common names:

People also refer to the eastern kingsnake as the common kingsnake, the chain kingsnake, black moccasin, cow sucker, oak leaf rattler, rattlesnake pilot, thunderbolt and master snake. Sometimes people refer to it as horse racer, though it does not have anything in common with the horse.

Habitat:

The eastern kingsnake prefers open woodland especially those that have oaks and pines; they also like to live in swamp borders, streams or canals.

Reproduction:

The female eastern kingsnakes lay eggs up to several dozens, which hatch between two and two and a half months. The hatchlings have brightly colored coats that are very glossy and have less ring-pattern.

Captivity:

The eastern kingsnakes live up to about twenty-five years in captivity; it is rare to find an eastern kingsnake that survives past twenty-five years.

Habits:

The eastern kingsnakes are very active during the day especially in the dawn during summer seasons. These snakes are brawny constrictors, which feed on lizards, snakes, turtle eggs, birds and rodents. These snakes are immune to venom from pit vipers and they may feed on cottonmouths, rattlesnakes and copperheads. These snakes may rattle their tails when disturbed.