Speckled Kingsnake

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Speckled Kingsnake

Scientific Name

  • The scientific name of this snake is known as Lampropeltis getulua holbrooki

Description

  • It is always known as a “salt-and-pepper” snake.
  • Their names are Guinea Snake and Say’s Kingsnake.
  • They have smooth and shiny scales.
  • Unique light yellowish spots cover the whole black or dark brown body.
  • In the wild, it behaves more aggressively than other species of kingsnakes.
  • It is recommended to keep captive speckled kingsnake as a pet, and the wild tends to be more aggressive even though it may be tamed with frequent handling.
  • They are non-venomous species and immune to venomous snakes.

Distribution

  • The snakes can be found in the Southern Illinois to the Gulf of Mexico as well as the South Western Alabama.

Breeding

  • They take approximately 2 – 3 years to become adult snakes.

Nesting

  • The matured adult snakes lay 6 to 15 eggs per clutch.
  • The eggs take 8 weeks to hatch.

Size

  • Adult size: Up to 50 inches.

Life Span

  • They live up to 25 years.

Speckled Kingsnake Food and Feeding

  • The main source of food is mainly rodents.
  • The snake also eats other snakes, frogs, lizards, small mice, and birds.

Natural Habitat

  • They are often found in marshes, prairies, pastures, wetlands, woodlands, farms, swampy areas, open fields, or bottomland hardwood forests.
  • Most likely near water.

Other Information for Pet Lovers

  • It is recommended to keep captive-bred Speckled kingsnake as they are docile.
  • Many speckled kingsnakes in the pet market today are captive-bred.