Kingsnakes and Milksnakes | Herps of Texas

Lampropeltis alterna

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Scientific name. Lampropeltis alterna

Common Name. Gray-banded Kingsnake

General information. Lampropeltis alterna is a non-venomous snake species that kills its prey via constriction. In the wild, L. alterna feeds mainly on lizards that are likely found sleeping in rock crevices at night, though rodents are occasionally taken; gray-banded kingsnakes have been reared in captivity on solely on a diet of rodents. Primarily a nocturnal species, gray-banded kingsnakes are rarely seen during the day, with activity often concentrated during the four or five hours before dawn.

Protected status. The Gray-banded Kingsnake is not a protected species in Texas and can be legally collected with a hunting license.

Diagnostic features. Round pupils Undivided anal plate Smooth dorsal scales, in rows of 25 at midbody

Coloration. Highly variable pattern of red saddles or blotches on a light to dark gray background. Ventral surface is gray, with black blotches. Two different types of dorsal surface markings have warranted distinct names by collectors: The “blairi” phase (named for former Univ. Texas herpetologist Frank Blair) can be highly variable, with large saddles of red or orange bounded on either side by thin black rings. The saddles are separated by large bands of gray or black-gray background color, with the dark borders of the saddles sometimes ringed with a white edging. The “alterna” phase comprised a series (13-23) of thin black bands, occasionally split by red, which are separated by large amounts of gray background. The “blairi” phase snakes are thought to be more southern and eastern in the overall range, and the “alterna” phase is the more northern ranging snake.

General distribution. The U.S. distribution of Lampropeltis alterna is restricted to the Trans-Pecos region of Texas, with the exception of two or three individuals taken from the vicinity of Carlsbad in Eddy County, New Mexico. The range of L. alterna also extends into Mexico, into the states of Chihuahua, Coahuila, Durango and Nuevo Leon.

Texas distribution. In Texas, Lampropeltis alterna are found from the Hueco Mts., just outside of El Paso eastward to the counties of Edwards and Kinney; they are also found in Big Bend.

Habitat. Lampropeltis alterna is found in the rocky, arid regions of the Chihuahuan Desert.

Reproduction. Much has been learned about their reproductive natural history as a result of the massive captive breeding programs. These kingsnakes will lay as many as 13 eggs during the spring or early summer, with the juveniles hatching a little over two months later, measuring 26-32 cm (10-13 in).

Size. Adult Gray-banded Kingsnakes typically measure 61-91 cm (24-36 in); record length is over 116 cm (57 in).

Map. Orange counties indicate new county records since previous Herps of Texas update in 1998; all other colored counties reflect known distribution prior to 1998 for species and/or subspecies. Map is based on museum voucher specimens.

Lampropeltis calligaster

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Scientific name. Lampropeltis calligaster

Common Name. Prairie Kingsnake

General information. Reclusive snakes, Prairie Kingsnakes are generally seen while they are out foraging, this being around dusk during the spring and fall months, but switching to night during the hottest months of the summer. As generalists, they will feed on a variety of prey, including other snakes, lizards, rodents, lizards, and frogs. They are non-venomous, constricting the prey in order to disable it. Prairie kingsnake are generally even-tempered when handled, but when they are first picked up and feel threatened, they will frequently vibrate their tails.

Protected status. The Prairie Kingsnake is not a protected species in Texas and can be legally collected with a hunting license.

Diagnostic features. Undivided anal plate Smooth dorsal scales in rows of 25 or 27 at midbody

Coloration. Background color of tan or grey Patterned with around 60 dark rhomboidal blotches down its spine These large blotches have darkened borders and may occassionally be split into two small blotches Also two alternating rows of smaller brown spots along each side of the body, with these spots frequently fusing together. Ventral surface is yellowish with brown, square-shaped blotches. The markings of adults become much less distinct with age.

General distribution. Lampropeltis calligaster is found throughout most of the southcentral U.S., from Indiana and Nebraska, south to Texas and portions of Louisiana and east to Virginia to Florida.

Texas distribution. The single subspecies of Prairie Kingsnake found in Texas, Lampropeltis c. calligaster, is found in the eastern half of the state, with some populations found in the eastern Panhandle and isolated populations found in south Texas.

Habitat. The Prairie Kingsnake is an uncommonly seen snake of open grasslands and woodlands, spending most of its life underground in burrows or under rocks. Typical habitats for Prairie Kingsnakes range from cultivated fields and pastures, mixed woodlands and open meadows, to rocky ledges and bottom lands.

Reproduction. They are egg-layers, depositing clutches of 6-17 eggs in the early summer. The hatchlings are strongly spotted when they emerge from their eggs in August and September, measuring 26-28 cm (10-11 in).

Size. Adults Prairie Kingsnakes reach lengths of 61-106.5 cm (24-42 in).

Map. Map is based on museum voucher specimens.

Lampropeltis getula

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Scientific name. Lampropeltis getula

Common Name. Common Kingsnake

General information. Lampropeltis getula is a non-venomous constrictor, feeding primarily on other snakes, lizards, and rodents. Common Kingsnakes have also been known to feed on reptile eggs, relying on their sense of smell to find most of its prey, including prey buried underground. These kingsnakes are famous for their ability to be immune to rattlesnake venom and they commonly feed on rattlesnakes as part of their diet. Lampropeltis getula may bite hard and vigorously when first handled, but in captivity they often become accustomed to handling and stop biting. Another line of defense is their powerful smelling musk, which they can release from their vent when threatened.

Protected status. The Common Kingsnake is not a protected species in Texas and can be legally collected with a hunting license.

Diagnostic features. Smooth, almost glossy scales Undivided anal plate.

Coloration. Characterized by its overall black or black-brown background. The many (7) different subspecies, however, are discerned by the kind and amount of yellow coloring appearing on the black background and varying amount of yellow pattern. There are only two subspecies found in Texas, L. g. holbrooki and L. g. splendida. There is a zone of intergradation between the two subspecies (see map below) where individual snakes have a mixture of pattern and scalation characters from both subspecies.

General distribution. The seven subspecies of Lampropeltis getula cover the majority of the southern half of the U.S., found from California to Florida

Texas distribution. Lampropeltis getula is found throughout the majority of the state. The zone of intergradation between the two subspecies, in Texas, is from the Panhandle, along the Red River valley, south through the cross timbers and blackland prairies to the gulf coast marshes, and exclusive of the piney woods found to the east.

Habitat. Lampropeltis g. splendida is found in the grasslands and wetter portions of the desert. Roads through areas of agriculture often produce L. g. splendida when driven at night during the summer months. Lampropeltis g. holbrooki is found in wetter habitats, typically seeking shelter under logs and in debris piles found in places such as swamps and stream valleys.

Reproduction. Both subspecies are egg-layers, mating in the spring and depositing their egg clutches (5-12 eggs) in the early summer. Female L. g. splendida found at night in May and June are often in search of a suitable nest site. Hatchlings emerge in August and September and measure 21.5-25.5 cm (8.5-10 in).

Size. Lampropeltis getula, when adults, measure between 46-91.5 cm (18-36 in), though L. g. holbrooki is known to grow longer than L. g. splendida (183 cm (6 ft) vs. 154.5 cm (5 ft)).

Lampropeltis triangulum

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Scientific name. Lampropeltis triangulum

Common Name. Milksnake

General information. Milksnakes are so named because of the myth of their attaching to cow’s udders and receiving nourishment. Nothing could be farther from the truth, and in fact, the only remotely true thing about the myth is their occasional presence in barns, where they routinely feed on rodents and other snakes. Lampropeltis t. celaenops is reported to feed primarily on other snakes, whereas L. t. gentilis often incorporates lizards and insects in its diet. Though harmless, L. triangulum will bite at times when handled and will often release a foul-smelling musk, attempting to instigate its release.

Protected status. The Milksnake is not a protected species in Texas and can be legally collected with a hunting license.

Diagnostic features. Smooth dorsal scales (usually in rows of 21 at midbody) Undivided anal plates.

Coloration. Each of the four subspecies of Lampropeltis triangulum found in Texas has its own combination of characters which distinguishes it from the others All subspecies of milksnakes all have black bands bordering both sides of its red bands. This is in contrast to the coral snake (Micrurus tener), who has yellow bands bordering both sides of its red bands.

General distribution. The nine subspecies of U. S. Lampropeltis triangulum are found throughout much of the U.S., with the majority of taxa being found east of Texas. They range from Utah and New Mexico to the east coast, being found from Maine to Florida.

Texas distribution. In Texas, milksnakes are found in across most of the state, save the extreme western portions of the Trans-Pecos, where their distribution is patchy at best.

Habitat. Milksnakes in Texas can be found in a variety of habitats across the state, with moisture being a unifying variable. Lampropeltis triangulum gentilis can be found in the spring while it is thermoregulating underneath rocks and the nocturnal Lampropeltis t. celaenops is found almost exclusively in rock cuts where it hunts or while it crosses Chihuahuan desert roads during the early summer months. Lampropeltis t. annulata can also be found crossing roads at night, often crossing near low-water crossings during spring and early fall in the late evenings. Lampropeltis t. amaura can be found seeking refuge underneath bark or hiding in tree stumps during the winter months, and occassionally is found under rocks during the wetter portions of the spring.

Reproduction. The milksnakes are egg layers, breeding in the spring and lay their clutches of 5-12 eggs in the summer. Newborn milksnakes emerge in late summer, measuring 23-24 cm (9 in) in length.

Size. Across the four subspecies of Lampropeltis triangulum found in Texas, there is a wide range of adult body sizes, from the smallest subspecies, L. t. amaura (max 61 cm; 24 in), to the largest, L. t. annulata (51-81 cm; 20-32 in).

Map. Map is based on museum voucher specimens; last updated 12 November 2014.