Speckled Kingsnake

**Speckled Kingsnake**

The Speckled kingsnake, *Lampropeltis holbrooki*, is a non-venomous colubrid snake with smooth scales. They average between 18-36 in as adults. They kill by constriction and will eat mainly rodents, lizards, and other snakes, including venomous snakes. Kingsnakes appear to be immune to the venom of other snakes which they prey on. They range as far east as Alabama and north to Indiana and Iowa. They have an extensive range into Texas and Mexico and breed readily with the desert kingsnake.

Much of the center portion of Texas is an intergrade zone as the intersection of species *holbrooki* (Speckled King Snake) and species *splendida* (Desert King Snake) is incredibly variable. Speckled King Snakes found in Louisiana and East Texas have little to no discernible saddle patterning, and are almost completely "speckled." But as you move west into central Texas, you start seeing the saddle marks mixed with "speckles." By the time you make your way into far SW Texas, the speckles are almost completely gone and what's left is the saddle marks, which is characteristic of *splendida*.

[Diagnostic Features:](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Speckled_king_snake_lampropeltis_getula_holbrooki_stejneger.jpg)

- Smooth, almost glossy scales.

- Undivided anal plate.

[Coloration:](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Speckled_King_Snake_CozCoz.jpg)

- Characterized by its overall black or black-brown background and speckled throughout.

- Juveniles have a saddled pattern as seen [here.](https://stock.adobe.com/search?dym=1&k=holbrooki&filters%5Bcontent_type%3Aphoto%5D=1&filters%5Bcontent_type%3Aillustration%5D=0&filters%5Bcontent_type%3Azip_vector%5D=0&filters%5Bcontent_type%3Avideo%5D=1&filters%5Bcontent_type%3Atemplate%5D=1&filters%5Bcontent_type%3A3d%5D=1&filters%5Binclude_stock_enterprise%5D=0&filters%5Bis_editorial%5D=0&safe_search=1&search_page=1&order=relevance&limit=100&max_offset=10000&offset=0&asset_id=35299109)

Interesting fact- Kingsnakes love to prey on other snakes and will do so regularly.

- [Here is one preying on an eastern copperhead, *Agkistrodon contortrix.*](https://www.flickr.com/photos/94117012@N05/12196868944)

- [Here is a link of kingsnakes eating many different types of snakes.](https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo/north-american-king-snake.html)


[Range map](https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/39208452_1927264840666074_8312664164933828608_o.jpg?_nc_cat=0&oh=3bcae933d9f94be90572c5d17097604f&oe=5C0DDF4A).