Ohhh…Regal Beauty Unveiled: Discovering the Eastern Kingsnake’s Majestic Elegance
![Lampropeltis getulus 4.25.01-7 copy](https://herpsofnc.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Lampropeltis-getulus-4.25.01-7-copy.jpg)
Lampropeltis getula
Description: The eastern kingsnake is fairly stout with a black back marked with a chain-like pattern of thin white or yellow bars. The belly has yellow or white patches on a black background. Kingsnakes found on the Outer Banks are usually brown rather than black and have light speckles between the chain-like pattern. In the western-most mountains of North Carolina, the kingsnake’s chain-like markings are usually broken up into tiny spots.
Feeding/Diet: Eastern kingsnakes are strong constrictors that prey on a variety of other animals, including rodents, eggs, frogs, lizards, small turtles, salamanders, and snakes—even venomous species such as rattlesnakes and copperheads.
Activity/Behavior: Eastern kingnsakes are active during the daytime and are often found around farms and even in suburban areas, taking refuge under objects such as old boards or tin.
Habitat/Range: Eastern kingsnakes live in a variety of habitats but are often found near water.
Reproduction: Kingsnakes lay 10–24 eggs in early summer and the babies, hatching in August or September, resemble the adults.
Miscellaneous: Kingsnakes are immune to the venom of pitvipers such as copperheads, cottonmouths, and rattlesnakes. The kingsnake is usually rather docile, but may bite and release a foul musk when first captured.
![Lampropeltis_getula_niger-TN-VanDevender copy](https://herpsofnc.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Lampropeltis_getula_niger-TN-VanDevender-copy.jpg)
Photo by RW Van Devender
![Lampropeltis getula - 4.14.02 - Lansdford Canal SP, SC - close head shot copy](https://herpsofnc.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Lampropeltis-getula-4.14.02-Lansdford-Canal-SP-SC-close-head-shot-copy.jpg)
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![Photo by Ian Deery</span](https://herpsofnc.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Screen-Shot-2016-07-07-at-9.35.03-PM-copy.png)
![Photo by Ian Deery</span](https://herpsofnc.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Screen-Shot-2016-07-07-at-9.35.52-PM-copy.png)