Top Qs
Timeline
Chat
Perspective
Lampropeltis getula
Species of snake From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Remove ads
Lampropeltis getula, commonly known as the eastern kingsnake,[3] common kingsnake,[4] or chain kingsnake,[5] is a harmless colubrid species endemic to the United States. It has long been a favorite among collectors.[5] Four subspecies are currently recognized, including the nominate subspecies described here.[6] All of these taxa had originally been described as distinct species and recognized as such for up to 101 years.
.jpg)
Remove ads
Remove ads
Description
.jpg)
Adult specimens of the speckled kingsnake, L. g. holbrooki, are the smallest race at 91.5 cm (36.0 in) in snout-to-vent length (SVL) on average, while L. g. getula is the largest at 107 cm (42 in) SVL on average.[7] Specimens up to 208.2 cm (82.0 in) in total length (including tail) have been recorded.[8] Weight can vary from 285 g (10.1 oz) in a small specimen of 87.2 cm (34.3 in) in total length, to 2,268 g (80.0 oz) in large specimens, of over 153 cm (60 in) in total length.[7][9]
The color pattern consists of a glossy black, blue black, or dark brown ground color, overlaid with a series of 23-52 white chain-like rings.[5][10] Variation is found in their patterns accross geographic ranges.[11] Kingsnakes from the coastal plains have wider bands, while those found in mountainous areas have thinner bands or may be completely black.[citation needed]
Remove ads
Common names
Common names for L. getula include eastern kingsnake,[3] common kingsnake,[4] chain kingsnake,[5] kingsnake, Carolina kingsnake, chain snake, bastard horn snake, black kingsnake, black moccasin, common chain snake, cow sucker, horse racer, master snake, North American kingsnake, oakleaf rattler, pied snake, pine snake, racer, rattlesnake pilot, thunder-and-lightning snake, thunderbolt, thunder snake, wamper, wampum snake.[10]
Remove ads
Geographic range
Lampropeltis getula getula Linnaeus (Eastern Kingsnake) is one of the most widespread snake species in North America, ranging from the Atlantic to the Pacific coast.[12] L. getula is found in the southeastern United States from southern New Jersey to Florida.[2]
Habitat
The preferred habitats of L. getula are open areas, particularly grassland, but also chaparral, oak woodland, abandoned farms, desert, low mountains, sand, and any type of riparian zone, including swamps, canals, and streams. A study on the habitat use of the Eastern Kingsnake found that overall they prefer and can be found in sites with thick layer of leaf litter and dense shrubbery. From their observations throughout the course of research, they found that 79% of their tracked specimen spent the majority of their time concealed under the cover of soil and leaf litter.[13]
Although commonly described as diurnal, some reports suggest that the Eastern Kingsnake are crepuscular or nocturnal during the hottest parts of the year.[14] They will often retreat into rodent burrows as nocturnal retreats.[15]
It has been found that Eastern Kingsnake home ranges often show little-to-no overlap.[16]
Some studies show that Eastern Kingsnakes (L. g. getula), especially males, are territorial, and will engage invading snakes in combat if their territory is threatened.[16]
Remove ads
Diet
Summarize
Perspective
L. getula eats other snakes, including venomous snakes such as copperheads (Agkistrodon contortrix), which are responsible for more venomous snakebites than any other in the United States, as well as coral snakes (Micruroides and Micrurus), massasaugas (Sistrurus catenatus), and other rattlesnakes (Crotalus and Sistrurus).[17] Among the non-venomous snakes preyed upon include common garter snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis), common watersnakes (Nerodia sipedon), ring-necked snakes (Diadophis punctatus), smooth earth snakes (Virginia valeriae), and worm snakes (Carphophis amoenus).[17]
It has developed a hunting technique to avoid being bitten by clamping down on the jaws of the venomous prey,[citation needed] but even if envenomated, it is immune. It also eats amphibians, turtle eggs, bird eggs (including those of the northern bobwhite [Colinus virginianus]),[17] lizards (such as five-lined skinks [Plestiodon fasciatus]),[17] and small mammals (such as white-footed mice [Peromyscus leucopus]),[17] which it kills by constriction.[18]
Due to their diet of eating other snake species, kingsnakes are a key factor in the spread of ophidiomycosis. This is a relatively new snake fungal disease originating from the fungus, Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola. This disease has a variety of impacts on snakes and the extent of this impact is still being researched.[19]
Remove ads
Reproduction
L. getula is oviparous. Adult females lay up to several dozen eggs that hatch after 2.0-2.5 months of incubation. Hatchlings are brightly colored and feed on small snakes, lizards, and rodents.[5] Eastern Kingsnakes (L. g. getula) are active from April–October in most parts of their habitat range and breeding occurs in the spring months.[20] Neck-biting is a common behavior when mating.[21]
In captivity
Long a favorite among collectors, L. getula does well in captivity, living to 25 years or more. Some of the most popular subspecies of the common kingsnake kept in captivity are the California, Brooks', Florida, and Mexican black kingsnakes.[5]
Subspecies
References
Further reading
External links
Wikiwand - on
Seamless Wikipedia browsing. On steroids.
Remove ads