The Speckled kingsnake (Lampropeltis holbrooki) is a nonvenomous snake which is native to the United States. Its common name is derived from its pattern and this snake is also known as the "salt-and-pepper snake".
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DiurnalDiurnal animals are active during the daytime, with a period of sleeping or other inactivity at night. The timing of activity by an animal depends ...
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NocturnalNocturnality is an animal behavior characterized by being active during the night and sleeping during the day. The common adjective is "nocturnal",...
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CarnivoreA carnivore meaning 'meat eater' is an organism that derives its energy and nutrient requirements from a diet consisting mainly or exclusively of a...
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TerrestrialTerrestrial animals are animals that live predominantly or entirely on land (e.g., cats, ants, snails), as compared with aquatic animals, which liv...
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PredatorPredators are animals that kill and eat other organisms, their prey. Predators may actively search for or pursue prey or wait for it, often conceal...
Oviparous animals are female animals that lay their eggs, with little or no other embryonic development within the mother. This is the reproductive...
Precocial species are those in which the young are relatively mature and mobile from the moment of birth or hatching. Precocial species are normall...
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Non-venomousSo
SolitaryNo
Not a migrantAnimals that do not make seasonal movements and stay in their native home ranges all year round are called not migrants or residents.
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HibernatingHibernation is a state of minimal activity and metabolic depression undergone by some animal species. Hibernation is a seasonal heterothermy charac...
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starts withThe Speckled kingsnake usually grows up to 48 in (120 cm) in total length (including tail), but the record total length is 72 in (180 cm). The coloation of its body is black, with small yellow-white specks, one speck in the center of almost every dorsal scale.
Speckled kingsnakes are found in the central and southern United States from southern Iowa to the Gulf of Mexico. They inhabit wet habitats, like swamps and rivers, but they do commonly venture to dry areas like woodlands and grassy fields.
Speckled kingsnakes are solitary and primarily terrestrial creatures. They are active from spring through late autumn and during cold winter months hibernate in crevices or underground in abandoned burrows. Speckled kingsnakes hunt by day but in winter they may switch to nocturnal activity. They use constriction to kill their prey and tend to be opportunistic in their diet. Speckled kingsnakes are usually docile and harmless. If sensing danger they will shake their tail like a rattlesnake to deter predators. They may also expel musk and feces or bite when feeling threatened.
Speckled kingsnakes are carnivores. They feed on mammals, birds, rodents, frogs, lizards, and other snakes.
Speckled kingsnakes breed in spring when they emerge after hibernation. Females lay 6-23 eggs and the young usually hatch between August and September.
Speckled kingsnakes are not threatened at present but they suffer from habitat loss are often collected for the pet trade.
The IUCN Red List and other sources don’t provide the number of the Speckled kingsnake total population size. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List and its numbers today are stable.
