King Snake
FamilyColubridae
Venom TypeNon-venomous
Max Length1.5 m
RangeNorth America
HabitatVaried
DietSnakes, lizards, mammals
Danger LevelNone
About the King Snake
Immune to the venom of rattlesnakes, copperheads, and cottonmouths — they eat them. Named king for this ability, like the King Cobra. Constrict their prey. When threatened, they vibrate their tail (mimicking a rattlesnake) and emit a strong musk. Over 45 subspecies. Popular pet snakes. Active during the day in cooler months, nocturnal in summer.
Related Species
Milk Snake
A classic case of Batesian mimicry — their red, black, and yellow bands mimic th...
Corn Snake
One of the best beginner pet snakes — docile, easy to care for, and beautiful. N...
Western Hognose
Famous for their dramatic death-feigning behavior — they roll onto their back, t...
Boomslang
Their name means tree snake in Afrikaans. Rear-fanged but extremely venomous — h...