{{Short description|Species of snake}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2022}} {{Speciesbox | image = Eastern kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula).jpg | image_caption = This snake was found predating a diamondback terrapin nest. | status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1 | status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 19 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=Hammerson, G.A. |date=2019 |title=''Lampropeltis getula'' |volume=2019 |article-number=e.T67662588A67662645 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-2.RLTS.T67662588A67662645.en |access-date=November 19, 2021}}</ref> | genus = Lampropeltis | species = getula | authority = ([[Carl Linnaeus|Linnaeus]], 1766) | range_map = Lampropeltis getula complex distribution map.png | synonyms = *''Coluber getulus''<br />{{small|Linnaeus, 1766}} *''Ophibolus getulus''<br />{{small|— [[Spencer Fullerton Baird|Baird]] & [[Charles Frédéric Girard|Girard]], 1853}} *''Coronella Getulus''<br />{{small|— [[André Marie Constant Duméril|A.M.C. Duméril]], [[Gabriel Bibron|Bibron]]<br />& [[Auguste Duméril|A.H.A. Duméril]], 1854}} *''Ophibolus getulus''<br />{{small|— [[Edward Drinker Cope|Cope]], 1875}} *''Ophilobus'' [sic] ''getulus''<br />{{small|— Cope, 1892}} (''[[ex errore]]'') *''Coronella getula''<br />{{small|— [[George Albert Boulenger|Boulenger]], 1894}} *''Triaeniopholis arenarius''<br />{{small|[[Franz Werner|F. Werner]], 1924}} *''Lampropeltis getula goini''<br />{{small|[[Wilfred T. Neill|Neill]] & [[Ross Allen (herpetologist)|Allen]], 1949}} *''Lampropeltis getula''<br />{{small|— [[Robert C. Stebbins|Stebbins]], 1985}} *''Lampropeltis getula''<br />{{small|— [[Roger Conant (herpetologist)|Conant]] & [[Joseph T. Collins|Collins]], 1991}} *''Lampropeltis getula''<br />{{small|— [[species:Ernest Anthony Liner|Liner]], 1994}} | synonyms_ref = <ref name="NRDB">{{NRDB species|genus=Lampropeltis|species=getula|date=June 29, 2008}}</ref> }}
'''''Lampropeltis getula''''', [[Common name|commonly]] known as the '''eastern kingsnake''',<ref name="Con75">[[Roger Conant (herpetologist)|Conant R]] (1975). ''A Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern and Central North America, Second Edition''. (First published in 1958). Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company. 429 pp + 48 plates. {{ISBN|0-395-19979-4}} (hardcover), {{ISBN|0-395-19977-8}} (paperback). (''Lampropeltis getulus getulus'', p. 202).</ref> the '''common kingsnake''',<ref name="B&K79">[[John L. Behler|Behler JL]], King FW (1979). ''The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Reptiles and Amphibians''. New York: Alfred A. Knopf. 743 pp. LCCCN 79-2217. {{ISBN|0-394-50824-6}}. (''Lampropeltis getulus'', pp. 618-620).</ref> and the '''chain kingsnake''',<ref name="Meh87">Mehrtens JM (1987). ''Living Snakes of the World in Color''. New York: Sterling Publishers. 480 pp. {{ISBN|0-8069-6460-X}}.</ref> is a [[species]] of harmless [[snake]] in the [[subfamily]] [[Colubrinae]] of the [[Family (taxonomy)|family]] [[Colubridae]]. The species is native to the southeastern United States. It has long been a favorite among collectors.<ref name="Meh87"/> Four [[subspecies]] are recognized as being valid, including the [[Nominotypical subspecies|nominate subspecies]] described here.<ref name="ITIS">{{ITIS |id=209247 |taxon=''Lampropeltis getula'' |accessdate=June 29, 2008}}</ref> All of these [[Taxon|taxa]] had originally been described as distinct species and recognized as such for more than a century.{{citation needed |date=October 2025}}
==Description== [[File:Eastern Kingsnake (2008).jpg|thumb|left|''L. g. getula'' can be quite docile even when caught wild]] [[File:Dixie County Florida Kingsnake.jpg|thumb|left|Florida kingsnake in [[Dixie County, Florida]]]] Adult specimens of the speckled kingsnake, ''Lampropeltis getula holbrooki'', are the smallest [[Subspecies|race]] at {{convert|91.5|cm|in|abbr=on}} in snout-to-vent length (SVL) on average, while ''L. g. getula'' is the largest subspecies at {{convert|107|cm|in|abbr=on}} SVL on average.<ref name="ADW">{{Cite web|url=http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Lampropeltis_getula.html|title = Lampropeltis getula (Common Kingsnake)}}</ref> Specimens up to {{convert|208.2|cm|in|abbr=on}} in total length (including tail) have been recorded.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/natsci/herpetology/fl-guide/Lampropeltisggetula.htm |title=Lampropeltis getula getula |website=www.flmnh.ufl.edu |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010224001059/http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/natsci/herpetology/fl-guide/Lampropeltisggetula.htm |archive-date=2001-02-24}}</ref> Weight can vary from {{convert|285|g|oz|abbr=on}} in a small specimen of {{convert|87.2|cm|in|abbr=on}} in total length, to {{convert|2268|g|oz|abbr=on}} in large specimens, of over {{convert|153|cm|in|abbr=on}} in total length.<ref name="ADW"/><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://stkctr.biol.sc.edu/Reprints/Reprints_4/Steen_2010.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=July 26, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714202306/http://stkctr.biol.sc.edu/Reprints/Reprints_4/Steen_2010.pdf |archive-date=July 14, 2014 }}</ref>
The color pattern consists of a glossy black, blue black, or dark brown ground color, overlaid with a series of 23–52 white chain-like rings.<ref name="Meh87"/><ref name="W&W57">[[Albert Hazen Wright|Wright AH]], Wright AA (1957). ''Handbook of Snakes of the United States and Canada''. 2 volumes. Ithaca and London: Comstock Publishing Associates. (7th printing, 1985). 1,105 pp. {{ISBN|0-8014-0463-0}}. (''Lampropeltis getulus getulus'', pp. 372-376).</ref> Variation is found in their patterns across geographic ranges.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Alexander Pyron |first=R. |last2=Burbrink |first2=Frank T. |date=2009 |title=Lineage diversification in a widespread species: roles for niche divergence and conservatism in the common kingsnake, Lampropeltis getula |url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-294X.2009.04292.x |journal=Molecular Ecology |language=en |volume=18 |issue=16 |pages=3443–3457 |doi=10.1111/j.1365-294X.2009.04292.x |issn=1365-294X|url-access=subscription }}</ref> Kingsnakes from the coastal plains have wider bands, while those found in mountainous areas have thinner bands or may be completely black.{{citation needed|date=December 2017}}
==Common names== Common names for ''Lampropeltis getula'' include eastern kingsnake,<ref name="Con75"/> common kingsnake,<ref name="B&K79"/> chain kingsnake,<ref name="Meh87"/> kingsnake, Carolina kingsnake, chain snake, bastard horn snake, black kingsnake, black moccasin, common chain snake, cow sucker, horse racer, master snake, North American kingsnake, oakleaf rattler, pied snake, pine snake, racer, rattlesnake pilot, thunder-and-lightning snake, thunderbolt, thunder snake, wamper, wampum snake.<ref name="W&W57"/>
==Geographic range== ''Lampropeltis getula'' is found in the [[southeastern United States]] from southern [[New Jersey]] to [[Florida]].<ref name="NRDB"/>
==Habitat== The preferred [[habitat]]s of ''Lampropeltis getula'' are open areas, particularly grassland, but also chaparral, oak woodland, abandoned farms, desert, low mountains, sand, and any type of riparian zone, including swamps, canals, and streams. A study on the habitat use of the eastern kingsnake found that overall it prefers and can be found in sites with a thick layer of [[leaf litter]] and dense shrubbery. From observations, researchers found that 79% of tracked specimen spent the majority of their time concealed under the cover of soil and leaf litter.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Wund |first1=Matthew A. |last2=Torocco |first2=Michael E. |last3=Zappalorti |first3=Robert T. |last4=Reinert |first4=Howard K. |date=September 2007 |title=Activity Ranges and Habitat Use of Lampropeltis getula getula (Eastern Kingsnakes) |url=https://bioone.org/journals/northeastern-naturalist/volume-14/issue-3/1092-6194_2007_14_343_ARAHUO_2.0.CO_2/Activity-Ranges-and-Habitat-Use-of-Lampropeltis-getula-getula-Eastern/10.1656/1092-6194(2007)14[343:ARAHUO]2.0.CO;2.full |journal=Northeastern Naturalist |volume=14 |issue=3 |pages=343–360 |doi=10.1656/1092-6194(2007)14[343:ARAHUO]2.0.CO;2 |s2cid=84312480 |issn=1092-6194|url-access=subscription }}</ref>
Although commonly described as diurnal, some reports suggest that the eastern kingsnake is crepuscular or nocturnal during the hottest parts of the year.<ref>Howze, Jennifer & Smith, Lora. (2012). Factors Influencing Eastern Kingsnake Diel Activity. Copeia. 2012. 460-464. 10.2307/23273252.</ref> It will often retreat into rodent burrows as nocturnal retreats.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Godley |first=J. Steve |last2=Halstead |first2=Brian J. |last3=McDiarmid |first3=Roy W. |date=2017-12-01 |title=Ecology of the Eastern Kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula) at Rainey Slough, Florida: A Vanished Eden |journal=Herpetological Monographs |volume=31 |issue=1 |page=47 |doi=10.1655/herpmonographs-d-16-00006.1 |issn=0733-1347}}</ref>
It has been found that eastern kingsnake home ranges often show little-to-no overlap.<ref name="Steen 553–558">{{Cite journal |last1=Steen |first1=David A. |last2=Smith |first2=Lora L. |date=September 2009 |title=Eastern Kingsnake (Lampropeltis Getula Getula) Home Ranges Exhibit Limited Overlap |url=https://bioone.org/journals/southeastern-naturalist/volume-8/issue-3/058.008.0316/Eastern-Kingsnake-Lampropeltis-Getula-Getula-Home-Ranges-Exhibit-Limited-Overlap/10.1656/058.008.0316.full |journal=Southeastern Naturalist |volume=8 |issue=3 |pages=553–558 |doi=10.1656/058.008.0316 |s2cid=85945120 |issn=1528-7092|url-access=subscription }}</ref>
Some studies show that the eastern kingsnake (''L. g. getula'') is territorial, especially males, which will engage invading snakes in combat if their territory is threatened.<ref name="Steen 553–558"/>
==Diet== ''Lampropeltis getula'' eats other snakes, including venomous snakes such as the copperhead (''[[Agkistrodon contortrix]]''), which is responsible for more venomous snakebites than any other in the United States, as well as coral snakes ([[Genus|genera]] ''[[Micruroides]]'' and ''[[Micrurus]]''), the massasauga (''[[Sistrurus catenatus]]''), and other rattlesnakes (genera ''[[Crotalus]]'' and ''[[Sistrurus]]'').<ref name="animaldiversity.org">{{Cite web|url=https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Lampropeltis_getula/|title=Lampropeltis getula (Common Kingsnake)|website=[[Animal Diversity Web]] }}</ref> Nonvenomous snakes preyed upon include the common garter snake (''[[Thamnophis sirtalis]]''), the common watersnake (''[[Nerodia sipedon]]''), the ring-necked snake (''[[Diadophis punctatus]]''), the smooth earth snake (''[[Virginia valeriae]]''), and the worm snake (''[[Carphophis amoenus]]'').<ref name="animaldiversity.org"/>
It has developed a hunting technique to avoid being bitten by clamping down on the jaws of the venomous prey,{{Citation needed|date=April 2023}} but even if envenomated, it is immune. It also eats amphibians, turtle eggs, bird eggs including those of the northern bobwhite (''[[Colinus virginianus]]''),<ref name="animaldiversity.org"/> lizards such as the five-lined skink (''[[Plestiodon fasciatus]]''),<ref name="animaldiversity.org"/> and small mammals such as the white-footed mouse (''[[Peromyscus leucopus]]''),<ref name="animaldiversity.org"/> which it kills by constriction.<ref>[[Karl Patterson Schmidt|Schmidt KP]], [[Delbert Dwight Davis|Davis DD]] (1941). ''Field Book of Snakes of the United States and Canada''. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons. 365 pp. (''Lampropeltis getulus'', "Food", p. 176).</ref>
Due to their diet of other snake species, kingsnakes of the genus ''Lampropeltis'' are a key factor in the spread of ophidiomycosis. This is a relatively new snake fungal disease originating from the fungus, ''[[Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola]]''. This disease has a variety of impacts on snakes and the extent of this impact is still being researched.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Davy |first1=Christina M. |last2=Shirose |first2=Leonard |last3=Campbell |first3=Doug |last4=Dillon |first4=Rachel |last5=McKenzie |first5=Christina |last6=Nemeth |first6=Nicole |last7=Braithwaite |first7=Tony |last8=Cai |first8=Hugh |last9=Degazio |first9=Tarra |last10=Dobbie |first10=Tammy |last11=Egan |first11=Sean |date=2021 |title=Revisiting Ophidiomycosis (Snake Fungal Disease) After a Decade of Targeted Research |journal=Frontiers in Veterinary Science |volume=8 |article-number=665805 |doi=10.3389/fvets.2021.665805 |pmid=34136555 |pmc=8200636 |issn=2297-1769|doi-access=free }}</ref>
==Reproduction== ''Lampropeltis getula'' is [[Oviparity|oviparous]]. Adult females lay up to several dozen eggs that hatch after 2.0–2.5 months of incubation. Hatchlings are brightly colored and feed on small snakes, lizards, and rodents.<ref name="Meh87"/> The eastern kingsnake (''L. g. getula'') is active from April–October in most parts of its habitat range and breeding occurs in the spring months.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Wund, Turocco, Zappalorti, & Reinert |date=2007 |title=Activity Ranges and Habitat Use of Lampropeltis getula getula (Eastern Kingsnakes) |jstor=4499924 |journal=Northeastern Naturalist|volume=14 |issue=3 |pages=343–360 |doi=10.1656/1092-6194(2007)14[343:ARAHUO]2.0.CO;2 |s2cid=84312480 }}</ref> Neck-biting is a common behavior when mating.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Kleinginna |first1=Paul R. |last2=Seamens |first2=Joe |date=January 1980 |title=Discrimination in the Eastern Kingsnake Lampropeltis Getulus Getulus |journal=The Journal of General Psychology |volume=102 |issue=1 |pages=153–154 |doi=10.1080/00221309.1980.9920974 |issn=0022-1309}}</ref>
==In captivity== Long a favorite among collectors, ''Lampropeltis getula'' does well in captivity, living to 25 years or more. Some of the most popular subspecies of the common kingsnake kept in captivity are the [[California kingsnake|California]], [[Lampropeltis getula brooksi|Brooks']], [[Florida kingsnake|Florida]], and [[Mexican black kingsnake|Mexican black]] kingsnakes.<ref name="Meh87"/>
==Subspecies== {|cellspacing=0 cellpadding=2 border=1 style="border-collapse: collapse;" !bgcolor="#f0f0f0"|Subspecies<ref name="ITIS"/> !bgcolor="#f0f0f0"|Authority<ref name="ITIS"/> !bgcolor="#f0f0f0"|Common name<ref name="ITIS"/> !bgcolor="#f0f0f0"|Range |- |''[[Lampropeltis getula brooksi|L. g. brooksi]]'' |[[Thomas Barbour|Barbour]], 1919 |Brooks's kingsnake |style="width:40%"| |- |''L. g. floridana'' |[[Frank N. Blanchard|Blanchard]], 1919 |[[Florida kingsnake]] | |- |''L. g. getula'' |([[Carl Linnaeus|Linnaeus]], 1766) |Eastern kingsnake | |- |''[[Lampropeltis getula meansi|L. g. meansi]]'' |[[Kenney Krysko|Krysko]] & [[Walter Stephen Judd|Judd]], 2006 |Apalachicola Lowlands kingsnake |the [[Apalachicola, Florida|Apalachicola Lowlands, Florida]] |}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==Further reading== *[[species:Brian Hubbs|Hubbs B]] (2009). ''Common Kingsnakes: A Natural History of'' Lampropeltis getula. Tempe, Arizona: Tricolor Books. 436 pp. {{ISBN|978-0975464113}}. *[[Carl Linnaeus|Linnaeus C]] (1766). ''Systema naturæ per regna tria naturæ, secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis. Tomus I. Editio Duodecima, Reformata.'' Stockholm: L. Salvius. 532 pp. (''Coluber getulus'', new species, p. 382). (in Latin). *[[Robert Powell (herpetologist)|Powell R]], [[Roger Conant (herpetologist)|Conant R]], [[Joseph T. Collins|Collins JT]] (2016). ''Peterson Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern and Central North America, Fourth Edition''. Boston and New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. xiv + 494 pp. {{ISBN|978-0-544-12997-9}}. (''Lampropeltis getula'', p. 379 + Plate 34). *[[Hobart Muir Smith|Smith HM]], [[species:Edmund Darrell Brodie Jr.|Brodie ED Jr]] (1982). ''Reptiles of North America: A Guide to Field Identification''. New York: Golden Press. 240 pp. {{ISBN|0-307-13666-3}} (paperback), {{ISBN| 0-307-47009-1}} (hardcover). (''Lampropeltis getula'', pp. 180–181). *[[Robert C. Stebbins|Stebbins RC]] (2003). ''A Field Guide to Western Reptiles and Amphibians, Third Edition''. The Peterson Field Guide Series. Boston and New York: Houghton Mifflin Company. xiii + 533 pp. {{ISBN|978-0-395-98272-3}}. (''Lampropeltis getula'', pp. 364–366 + Plate 44 + Map 153).
==External links== {{Commons and category}} *{{NRDB species|genus=Lampropeltis|species=getula|date=July 14, 2008}} *[http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/natsci/herpetology/fl-guide/Lampropeltisggetula.htm Eastern Kingsnake] at the [http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/ Florida Museum of Natural History]. Accessed June 29, 2008.
{{Taxonbar|from=Q747093}}
[[Category:Lampropeltis|getula]] [[Category:Fauna of the Eastern United States]] [[Category:Reptiles of the United States]] [[Category:Animal taxa named by Carl Linnaeus]] [[Category:Reptiles described in 1766]] [[Category:Reptiles of the Canary Islands]]