Lampropeltis getula, commonly known as the eastern kingsnake,[3] the common kingsnake,[4] and the chain kingsnake,[5] is a species of harmless snake in the subfamilyColubrinae of the familyColubridae. The species is native to the southeastern United States. It has long been a favorite among collectors.[5] Four subspecies are recognized as being valid, 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.
L. g. getula can be quite docile even when caught wildFlorida kingsnake in Dixie County, Florida
Adult specimens of the speckled kingsnake, Lampropeltis getula holbrooki, are the smallest race at 91.5cm (36.0in) in snout-to-vent length (SVL) on average, while L. g. getula is the largest subspecies at 107cm (42in) SVL on average.[7] Specimens up to 208.2cm (82.0in) in total length (including tail) have been recorded.[8] Weight can vary from 285g (10.1oz) in a small specimen of 87.2cm (34.3in) in total length, to 2,268g (80.0oz) in large specimens, of over 153cm (60in) 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 across 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]
Common names
Common names for Lampropeltis 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]
The preferred habitats of Lampropeltis 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 it prefers and can be found in sites with a thick layer of leaf litter and dense shrubbery. From observations, researchers found that 79% of tracked specimen spent the majority of their time concealed under the cover of soil and leaf litter.[12]
Although commonly described as diurnal, some reports suggest that the eastern kingsnake is crepuscular or nocturnal during the hottest parts of the year.[13] It will often retreat into rodent burrows as nocturnal retreats.[14]
It has been found that eastern kingsnake home ranges often show little-to-no overlap.[15]
Some studies show that the eatern kingsnake (L. g. getula) is territorial, especially males, which will engage invading snakes in combat if their territory is threatened.[15]
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),[16] lizards such as the five-lined skink (Plestiodon fasciatus),[16] and small mammals such as the white-footed mouse (Peromyscus leucopus),[16] which it kills by constriction.[17]
Due to their diet of other snake species, kingsnakes of the genus Lampropeltis 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.[18]
Reproduction
Lampropeltis 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] The eastern kingsnake (L. g. getula) is active from April–October in most parts of its habitat range and breeding occurs in the spring months.[19] Neck-biting is a common behavior when mating.[20]
In captivity
Long a favorite among collectors, Lampropeltis 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]
1 2 Conant R (1975). A Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern and Central North America, Second Edition. (First published in 1958). Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company. 429 pp + 48 plates. ISBN0-395-19979-4 (hardcover), ISBN0-395-19977-8 (paperback). (Lampropeltis getulus getulus, p. 202).
1 2 Behler JL, King FW (1979). The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Reptiles and Amphibians. New York: Alfred A. Knopf. 743 pp. LCCCN 79-2217. ISBN0-394-50824-6. (Lampropeltis getulus, pp. 618-620).
1 2 3 4 5 6 Mehrtens JM (1987). Living Snakes of the World in Color. New York: Sterling Publishers. 480 pp. ISBN0-8069-6460-X.
1 2 Wright AH, Wright AA (1957). Handbook of Snakes of the United States and Canada. 2 volumes. Ithaca and London: Comstock Publishing Associates. (7th printing, 1985). 1,105 pp. ISBN0-8014-0463-0. (Lampropeltis getulus getulus, pp. 372-376).
↑ Howze, Jennifer & Smith, Lora. (2012). Factors Influencing Eastern Kingsnake Diel Activity. Copeia. 2012. 460-464. 10.2307/23273252.
↑ Godley, J. Steve; Halstead, Brian J.; McDiarmid, Roy W. (December 1, 2017). "Ecology of the Eastern Kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula) at Rainey Slough, Florida: A Vanished Eden". Herpetological Monographs. 31 (1): 47. doi:10.1655/herpmonographs-d-16-00006.1. ISSN0733-1347.
↑ Schmidt KP, Davis DD (1941). Field Book of Snakes of the United States and Canada. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons. 365 pp. (Lampropeltis getulus, "Food", p. 176).
↑ Kleinginna, Paul R.; Seamens, Joe (January 1980). "Discrimination in the Eastern Kingsnake Lampropeltis Getulus Getulus". The Journal of General Psychology. 102 (1): 153–154. doi:10.1080/00221309.1980.9920974. ISSN0022-1309.
Further reading
Hubbs B (2009). Common Kingsnakes: A Natural History of Lampropeltis getula. Tempe, Arizona: Tricolor Books. 436 pp. ISBN978-0975464113.
Linnaeus C (1766). Systema naturæ per regna tria naturæ, secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis. Tomus I. Editio Duodecima, Reformata. Stockholm: L. Salvius. 532 pp. (Coluber getulus, new species, p.382). (in Latin).
Powell R, Conant R, Collins JT (2016). Peterson Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern and Central North America, Fourth Edition. Boston and New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. xiv + 494 pp. ISBN978-0-544-12997-9. (Lampropeltis getula, p.379 + Plate 34).
Smith HM, Brodie ED Jr (1982). Reptiles of North America: A Guide to Field Identification. New York: Golden Press. 240 pp. ISBN0-307-13666-3 (paperback), ISBN0-307-47009-1 (hardcover). (Lampropeltis getula, pp.180–181).
Stebbins RC (2003). A Field Guide to Western Reptiles and Amphibians, Third Edition. The Peterson Field Guide Series. Boston and New York: Houghton Mifflin Company. xiii + 533 pp. ISBN978-0-395-98272-3. (Lampropeltis getula, pp.364–366 + Plate 44 + Map 153).
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