"The Black King Snake is quite the hunter and will take on even the most venomous snakes as prey! By grabbing the snake behind the head, the Black King snake wraps around the venomous snake and squeezes until death occurs, then swallows it whole!" ScientificName - Lampropeltus getulus nigra RANGE - North America, Central America & Southern Canada
LIFESPAN - up to 24 years
DIET - Insects, rodents, birds, frogs, snakes & other small animals.
The Black Kingsnake is shiny black with small white or yellowish spots. Some individuals are almost plain black. They range from Western West Virginia to eastern Illinois, and south to northwestern Georgia and northern Alabama. Preferably dry, rocky hillsides and prairies, open woods, and stream valleys. In spring and fall this snake will bask in open sunlight. During late spring and summer it conceals itself beneath rocks and logs, and becomes active at night, hunting for food. The Black Kingsnake is a constrictor and throws one or more coils around the body of its prey and squeezes until suffocation occurs. Then they swallow their prey whole. Evindently, the Black Kingsnake is immune to the venom of Rattlesnakes and Copperheads. It can successfully overcome these venomous snakes and eat them, even after having been bitten!
