Complete Guide To The Eastern Kingsnake

Eastern Kingsnake Notes

• Eastern Kingsnakes are non-venomous snakes that feed on lizards, mice, birds, eggs, and other snakes, including venomous species such as Copperheads (Agkistrodon contortrix).
  • They are constrictors, which means they suffocate their prey.
  • Constrictor snakes first wrap their body coils around their prey, then patiently wait for their prey to exhale. Upon sensing exhalation, the snakes tighten their coils, which prevents their prey from inhaling. The snakes repeat this process until their prey succumbs, at which point the snakes swallow their prey whole.
    • However, if their prey is small or defenseless, Eastern Kingsnakes may skip constriction and simply swallow their prey alive (Gibbons and Dorcas 2005).
  • Eastern Kingsnakes successfully prey upon dangerous, venomous snakes like Copperheads and rattlesnakes because they are immune to the venom produced by these pit viper species (Gibbons and Dorcas 2005).
    • The presence of Eastern Kingsnakes in an area help control the number of venomous Copperheads found in the same area (Steen et al. 2014).
• Eastern Kingsnakes are mostly diurnal, and are especially active in the morning and evening hours, but may shift to a more nocturnal habit during the hottest weeks of summer (Behler and King 2020).
• Kingsnakes mate in the spring.
  • Females lay 3-24 cream-colored eggs mid-May to August, which hatch in 8.5-11.5 weeks, depending on temperature (Behler and King 2020).
  • Like many southeastern reptiles, Eastern Kingsnake eggs are vulnerable to attack by the invasive Red Imported Fire Ant (Solenopsis invicta, abbreviated as RIFA) (Swartwourt and Wilson 2022).
    • The ants chew holes through the leathery eggs and then swarm into the holes to consume the embryonic snakes.
    • These invasive ants may be contributing to an overall decline in the southeastern population of Eastern Kingsnakes.
• Eastern Kingsnakes hibernate through the winter, then become active again in the spring when temperatures warm.
• Although not venomous, Eastern Kingsnakes—like every animal—will aggressively defend themselves if harassed. Eastern Kingsnakes may vibrate their tails, assume a striking position, and release musk (Gibbons and Dorcas 2005). If picked up or handled, they will bite.
• Many Eastern Kingsnakes are run over and killed by cars due to their habit of basking in the sun on hot roads.