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Mole Kingsnake Common Name: Mole Kingsnake Scientific Name: Lampropelitis calligaster rhombomaculata Information Sheet - Mole Kingsnake
Description:The mole kingsnake is a rarely seen type of snake. It grows up to between 30 and 40 inches in length. Mole kingsnakes have smooth scales and light or dark reddish to brown body color and brown reddish elliptical spots arranged in a row for the dorsum’s entire length. The pattern fades as the specimen age thus older kingsnakes have no patterns. The venter is normally yellowish or whitish with red, brown or gray mottling. Females tend to have shorter tails that taper more quickly than those of males.Name:The snake is most commonly referred to as a Mole Kingsnake. Its scientific name is Lampropelitis calligaster rhombomaculataGeographic Range:Mole kingsnakes can be found in the whole of Mid-Atlantic States except the Appalachians mountainous regions, the Deep South and most of Florida. Scattered populations are in central Florida, but considered to be different subspecies. They are likely to be found in open like fields, edge habitats, thickets and cultivated lands.Habitat:The species is rare in the wild because it tends to be fossorial, thus spends more time out of sight underground. Consequently, little is known biologically and otherwise about these secretive species. The majority of mole kingsnakes can be found hiding under debris and crossing roads during the warmer evenings. Mole kings feed on a variety of small animals like birds, lizards and even other snakes. Reproduction:They mate from late spring up to early summer. In the early mid summer, around 17 eggs are laid in the ground. These hatch from late summer up to early fall.Behavior:They are generally gentle, docile and curious, thus can easily be handled and kept as pets.Captivity:Mole kings are neither state nor federally protected, since they are only rare to find not rare in numbers, being fairly many in some areas. Mole king fossorial habits allow the specie’s persistence in agricultural and suburban areas. |