Black kingsnake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Black kingsnake |
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| A black kingsnake, Lampropeltis nigra, in captivity. |
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| Scientific classification | |
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Lampropeltis
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| Species: |
nigra
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The Lampropeltis nigra, often called the black kingsnake, is a type of non-venomous snake. It is found naturally in the United States. This snake is a member of the kingsnake family.
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About the Black Kingsnake
The black kingsnake is a medium to large snake. It is a constrictor, meaning it squeezes its prey. Adult snakes usually grow to be about 90 to 122 centimeters (35 to 48 inches) long. Some can even reach lengths of 147 to 183 centimeters (58 to 72 inches)!
What Does It Look Like?
This snake looks a lot like another kingsnake, L. getula getula. However, you can tell them apart by where they live and their appearance. The black kingsnake has a mostly black body. It has yellow or cream-colored spots spread out across its body. These spots are larger and more common along its sides.
Some black kingsnakes have a plain black back. Others have bands of color across their back. The underside of the snake (its belly) has a pattern of black and yellow or cream squares.
Where Do They Live?
The black kingsnake lives in the southeastern part of the United States. You can find them from southern Illinois to Ohio. They also live along the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Their range extends down the Alabama River area to the northern Gulf Coast in southern Alabama. They also live along the coast to the Mississippi River in Louisiana.
Their Home Environment
Black kingsnakes can live in many different places. They are one of the most common snakes people see in some states. They like places like old farms that are no longer used. They also enjoy piles of natural debris, and the edges of floodplains. You can often find them in thick bushes near streams and swamps.
