Family: Colubridae, Colubrid Snakes view all from this family

Description 36-72" (91.4-182.9 cm). A large kingsnake with dark brown or black scales marked with a central yellow spot; light spots sometimes in rows; remnants of crossbands present. Belly typically yellow with dark blotches. Scales smooth, in 21 rows. Anal plate single.

Habitat Wooded hillsides to river swamps and coastal marshes.

Range S. and w. Illinois, s. Iowa, and se. Nebraska south to n. and e. Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi, and c. and sw. Alabama.

Discussion This is one of seven currently recognized subspecies of the Common Kingsnake. It intergrades with the Black Kingsnake on the eastern edge of its range, with the Eastern Kingsnake to the southeast, and with the Desert Kingsnake in a broad area to the west. Kingsnakes are constrictors that eat other snakes, lizards, rodents, and birds.