Reproduction

How does the common kingsnake produce its young?

At the beginning of the breeding season, which ranges from March to August across their range, males will fight for breeding rights. They will raise their heads and necks and then entwine before attempting to push their opponent to the ground.

The male who can successfully push the other to the ground is rewarded with mating rights with the female.

During mating the male will bite the neck of the female.

12 eggs will be deposited by the female in to rotting vegetation, wood or in an underground chamber. The decomposition of this material provides the warmth required to incubate the egg. Incubation lasts between 50 and 80 days.

They can break themselves from their egg using the egg "tooth" on the nose. Just before this they will absorb the yolk from the egg which provides nutrition during the first weeks of life.

At hatching the young measure 30-35cm (12-14in) long. Young spend the first week of life in their nest until they shed their skin for the first time.

Hatchlings are independent as soon as they hatch.

Sexual maturity is primarily tied to size and is reached sometime between 60 and 92cm (24-36in). This typically falls between 1 and 4 years old being later in females.

Behavior

What does the common kingsnake do with its day?

Their coloration which is broken up by bands and stripes will help to camouflage these snakes as they move through their habitat.

The common kingsnake has the ability to swim. They are often seen at riverbanks and will occasionally enter the water. Some will climb through low vegetation.

There is variability in their activity pattern across their range. Some are active by day while others come out at night.

In the north of their range these reptiles will undergo a longer period of hibernation. This period of inactivity is undertaken in a cave, hollow log or the abandoned burrow of another animal.

Credit: Public Domain

Predators and Threats

What is impacting the survival of the common kingsnake?

Natural predators of the common kingsnake include American alligators, larger snakes, birds of prey such as hawks and mammals such as racoons, striped skunks and Virginia opossums.

To defend themselves against predators they will hiss, strike or bite the predator.

If captured they will begin to smear the predator with their feces as a last ditch attempt to have the predator release them.

These reptiles have a stable population. While an exact estimate has not been made it is assumed it would exceed 100,000.

They are present in the pet trade and small numbers may be removed from the wild to supply this.

Small amounts of habitat loss through urbanization and agricultural development have occurred.

Quick facts

Most authorities recognize 7 subspecies of the common kingsnake but others have proposed as many as 10.

The "lampropeltis" portion of their scientific name comes from a word meaning 'shiny skin.'

Their name, kingsnake, was taken from their ability to eat other species of snake.

Across their range this species is known by a number of alternative names. Some of these include the thunderbolt, wamper, horse racer, common chain snake and black king snake.