# Speckled Kingsnake (*Lampropeltis holbrooki*) The Speckled Kingsnake is a beautiful snake with shiny scales and a pattern of spots. They are friendly and help keep the environment healthy by eating pests like mice and insects. - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 4 - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Speckled Kingsnake](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Gefleckte_Kettennatter_%28Lampropeltis_holbrooki%29%252C_Abwehrhaltung.jpg&width=800) Photo: Peter Paplanus, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gefleckte_Kettennatter_%28Lampropeltis_holbrooki%29%252C_Abwehrhaltung.jpg) ## Appearance The Speckled Kingsnake is a medium-sized snake typically dark brown or black, covered in small, bright yellow or cream speckles on nearly every scale. This striking, speckled pattern makes it distinct from other kingsnakes, which often have banded or striped patterns. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Squamata - **Order:** Serpentes - **Family:** Colubridae - **Genus:** Lampropeltis ## Interesting facts - Baby kingsnakes are born from eggs laid in warm, hidden places like under logs! - If scared, they might shake their tail like a rattlesnake to scare off attackers! - Speckled Kingsnakes are called 'kings' because they eat other snakes, even venomous ones! - These cool snakes are immune to the venom of many local poisonous snakes! ## Special abilities - **Venom Neutralizer:** Speckled Kingsnake has special proteins in its blood that make it resistant to the venom of many other snakes it hunts. - **Constrictor Grip:** Speckled Kingsnake can constrict its prey with powerful body muscles, squeezing tightly to overpower even larger animals. - **Camouflage Master:** The Speckled Kingsnake has a mottled pattern that helps it blend into leafy forest floors to hide from predators. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 90-150 cm - **Weight:** 0.5-2 kg - **Lifespan:** 10-15 years - **Speed:** 6 km/h - **Swim Speed:** 1.5 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 6-18 - **Incubation:** 60-75 days ## Diet & Feeding These carnivorous snakes eat rodents, lizards, birds, and even other snakes! - **Primary Foods:** Rodents (mice, voles), Lizards, Birds (eggs/nestlings), Other snakes, Amphibians - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** [Timber Rattlesnake](https://www.snappit.app/explore/timber-rattlesnake) (*Crotalus horridus*) — Eats venomous snakes without harm. - **Eats:** [White-footed Mouse](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-footed-mouse) (*Peromyscus leucopus*) — Mainly preys on small rodents. - **Eaten by:** [Red-tailed Hawk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-tailed-hawk) (*Buteo jamaicensis*) — Young snakes fall prey to large birds. - **Eats:** Green Anole (*Anolis carolinensis*) — Includes lizards in its varied diet. ## Traits - [Spotted](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spotted): Marked with spots or patches of a different color. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Arboreal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/arboreal): Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. ## Collections - [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low If you see a snake, it's best to watch it from a distance and not touch it. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Speckled Kingsnake? Compare the full body pattern, build, head markings and tail. Color can shift with age and lighting. Rules of thumb about triangular heads or round pupils aren't a reliable way to tell whether a snake is venomous. Snake Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Speckled Kingsnake? 90-150 cm ### How much does Speckled Kingsnake weigh? 0.5-2 kg ### How long does Speckled Kingsnake live? 10-15 years ### How fast can Speckled Kingsnake move? 6 km/h ### What does Speckled Kingsnake eat? These carnivorous snakes eat rodents, lizards, birds, and even other snakes! ### How fast can Speckled Kingsnake swim? 1.5 km/h ### Where is Speckled Kingsnake usually found? Grasslands ## Where to spot - [Causeyville Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/causeyville-historic-district) — Mississippi, US · Historic District - [Garvan Woodland Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/garvan-woodland-gardens) — Arkansas, US · Botanical Garden - [South Arkansas Arboretum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/south-arkansas-arboretum) — Arkansas, US · Botanical Garden - [Arkansas Alligator Farm and Petting Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/arkansas-alligator-farm-and-petting-zoo) — Arkansas, US · Zoo [View all places to see Speckled Kingsnake](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/speckled-kingsnake) ## More Reptiles - [Pond Slider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pond-slider) (*Trachemys scripta*) - [Western Fence Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-fence-lizard) (*Sceloporus occidentalis*) - [Common Five-lined Skink](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-five-lined-skink) (*Plestiodon fasciatus*) - [Desert Spiny Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/desert-spiny-lizard) (*Sceloporus magister*) --- Source: [Speckled Kingsnake: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/speckled-kingsnake)