common king snake
Quick Summary
King snakes, belonging to the genus Lampropeltis, are terrestrial snakes found from Canada to Ecuador. Adults typically measure between 1 to 1.5 meters (3.3 to 5 feet) and are nonvenomous constrictors. Their diet is varied, including small mammals, birds, snakes, lizards, and amphibians. King snakes are known for their habit of eating other snakes, including venomous ones like rattlesnakes and copperheads, to which they are immune. They can even be cannibalistic.12
The common king snake (Lampropeltis getula) is found across the United States and northern Mexico, displaying diverse patterns of stripes, rings, or spots. Many other king snake species are recognized by their red, black, and yellow ring patterns, which often mimic those of venomous coral snakes. King snakes are considered a species of least concern by the IUCN due to stable populations.1
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