Eastern Kingsnake Lampropeltis getula (Linnaeus, 1766)    
Kingdom Animalia   >   Phylum Chordata   >   Class Reptilia   >   Order Squamata   >   Family Colubridae   >   Genus Lampropeltis   

Status:

Eastern Kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula getula) is relatively well-known for frequently attacking and eating other serpents, including venomous pit vipers, like copperheads. This snake actually has a remarkable resistance to the venom of species they prey upon, and they are powerful constrictors able to dispatch their prey quickly. Aside from snakes, Eastern kingsnakes will eat a wide variety of smaller vertebrates, including mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians, and eggs (Tennant, 2003). This adaptable snake ranges over a wide variety of habitats, including woodland, open fields, various wetlands and swamps, riparian corridors, and agricultural areas. This is primarily a coastal plain species in Maryland, extending into portions of the piedmont (Maryland DNR site).

There are 149 records in the project database.

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An Eastern Kingsnake in Worcester Co., Maryland (4/25/2009). Photo by Steve Collins. (MBP list)

An Eastern Kingsnake found in Caroline Co., Maryland (4/21/2007). Photo by Jim Brighton. (MBP list)

An Eastern Kingsnake in St. Mary's Co., Maryland (5/19/2018). Photo by Jakob Cackowski. (MBP list)

An Eastern Kingsnake in Howard Co., Maryland (4/26/2016). Photo by Jim Wilkinson. (MBP list)

Eastern Kingsnake in Dorchester Co., Maryland (9/18/2021). (c) Aaron Reb, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Aaron via iNaturalist. (MBP list)

Eastern Kingsnake in Wicomico Co., Maryland (4/24/2009). (c) Hans Holbrook, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Hans Holbrook. (MBP list)

Eastern Kingsnake in Dorchester Co., Maryland (6/14/2023). (c) jonn, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by jonn via iNaturalist. (MBP list)

An Eastern Kingsnake in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (11/1/2018). Photo by Tyler Bell. (MBP list)

Eastern Kingsnake in Wicomico Co., Maryland (4/24/2009). (c) Hans Holbrook, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Hans Holbrook. (MBP list)

Eastern Kingsnake in Talbot Co., Maryland (6/2/2023). (c) jared satchell, all rights reserved. Photo by Jared Satchell. (MBP list)

Eastern Kingsnake in Talbot Co., Maryland (6/2/2023). (c) jared satchell, all rights reserved. Photo by Jared Satchell. (MBP list)

A juvenile Eastern Kingsnake found recently killed by a car on the open saltmarsh in Somerset Co., Maryland (1/20/2013). Specimen was collected for the Salisbury University collection. Photo by Bill Hubick. (MBP list)

A juvenile Eastern Kingsnake found recently killed by a car on the open saltmarsh in Somerset Co., Maryland (1/20/2013). Specimen was collected for the Salisbury University collection. Photo by Bill Hubick. (MBP list)

Eastern Kingsnake in Howard Co., Maryland (6/1/2021). (c) ranger duffy, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by ranger_duffy via iNaturalist. (MBP list)

A roadkill Eastern Kingsnake in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (6/13/2013). Photo by Robert Aguilar, SERC. (MBP list)

Eastern Kingsnake in Somerset Co., Maryland (4/30/2019). (c) Karen Elizabeth, all rights reserved. Photo by Karen Elizabeth via iNaturalist. (MBP list)

Eastern Kingsnake in Prince George's Co., Maryland (9/27/2020). (c) Benji Beluga, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Ben Springer. (MBP list)

Eastern Kingsnake in Caroline Co., Maryland (4/30/2021). (c) fwdraper, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by fwdraper via iNaturalist. (MBP list)


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