The Eastern Black Kingsnake is listed as Endangered in the state of Virginia
- Scientific Name
- Lampropeltis nigra
- Range
- Southwest Virginia
- Also Known As
- Black Snake, Chain Snake
- Venomous
- No
- Features
- Black Snake With White Stripes on Sides With Crossbars
- Prey
- Snakes and Lizards
- Litter Size
- 3 - 24 Eggs per Birth
- Life Span
- 15 - 25 Years
- Length
- 36 - 45 Inches
Quick Links for Eastern Black Kingsnake
Eastern Black Kingsnake Description
Eastern Black Kingsnake Appearance
This snake has an irregular number of white to yellow spots, sometimes they could appear straight black except for the belly and sides. This snake can sometimes show crossbars across it’s back, with some not connecting. These crossbars tend to be a muted white color.
This snake is often confused with its cousin the Eastern Kingsnake, which it’s crossbars are more apparent and visible.
Size
This snake is usually between 36 to 45 inches long, however, the record length for this snake is about 58 inches.
Juveniles tend to be 9 to 12 inches long.
Notice the lack of crossbars, unlike it’s cousin the Eastern Kingsnake.
Eastern Black Kingsnake Behavior
These snakes are solitary animals and only are seen together with other Kingsnakes when mating. They are active during the day and can be seen hunting, or resting under logs or leaves. During the winter they hibernate in animal burrows, logs, or rock crevices.
These snakes can be quite docile when caught, but remember that it may bite if that snake is feeling agitated. The docile nature is what draws snake owners to have one as a pet but as a reminder:
It is illegal in Virginia to keep Snakes found in the wild as pets
Range and Habitat of The Eastern Black Kingsnake
Range
They can be found in southwestern Virginia. If you find one east of the Appalachians then what you found is most likely the Eastern Kingsnake.
Habitat
Kingsnakes prefer the same habitat as other Colubrids such as the milk snake and Copperhead. These snakes prefer forests and fields, or in other words areas with a lot of covers. These snakes can also frequently be found near water sources such as swamps, canals, and streams. They spend most of their time undercover.
They can be found southwestern Virginia never venturing past the Appalachians
Diet of Eastern Black Kingsnake
These snakes’ main diet includes other snakes. They even eat Copperheads and Timber Rattlesnakes. This snake has developed immunity to the venom of these snakes and has developed a hunting technique to avoid being bitten down.
This snake is one of the few snakes that actively hunt other snakes, making it a key part of Virginia’s ecosystem. As it keeps the venomous snakes such as the Cottonmouth, and Copperheads numbers down.
Snakes aren’t the only prey for Eastern Black Kingsnakes. They also eat amphibians, turtle eggs, bird eggs, lizards, and small rodents.
Young and Reproduction
Reproduction
Reproduction in these snakes has been little studied in Virginia. All we know is that Mating season for these snakes is in the spring here in Virginia. In other parts of the US it has been seen that the males bite the females on the neck when mating.
Eggs and Young
These snakes can be rather docile even when caught.