Common kingsnake, Eastern kingsnake

Lampropeltis getula

Overview

Habitat
  • Found in a variety of habitats including open coniferous forests, woodland, swamps, coastal marshes, farmland, prairie and even desert habitats
  • It prefers habitats with good ground cover such as thick leaf litter and dense shrub foliage
  • Often found near water, where it is easier for them to dig burrows
  • Periods of inactivity are spent under the cover of rocks, logs, vegetation and within burrows
Description
  • A terrestrial snake that spends most of the time in underground burrows
  • A large constrictor, growing between 90-122cm in length, with a short stout head and beady eyes
  • It has shiny-black, smooth scales with 23-52 white or yellow chain-like rings
  • Individuals from mountainous regions tend to have very thin bands and those from coastal plains have wider bands
  • It feeds on a wide range of prey such as snakes, lizards, small mammals and the eggs of birds and reptiles
  • Females lay clutches of 3-29 eggs
  • There are eight subspecies, with varying colour patterns both within and between subspecies
  • It is a popular pet species, requiring little specialist care, easy to handle and relatively cheap to buy
  • Albino colour morphs have been found in Gran Canaria, originating from captive bred stock
Origin and Worldwide Distribution
  • Native to the east coast of North America from New Jersey to the Florida keys and west to Alabama
  • It has been introduced and is now invasive in Gran Canaria, the Canary Islands, through the accidental and/or intentional release of captive bred individuals
Potential or Known Impacts
  • The varied diet of the common kingsnake, threatens native species
  • A possible vector for diseases and parasites, impacting native fauna
Is it found in Northern Ireland?
  • It is not currently present in Northern Ireland
How could it get here?
  • Illegal import, breeding, growth, release, selling and transport of the snake is the most likely reason for introduction today
Management/Methods for Prevention
  • Prevention via enforcing the IAS (Enforcement and Permitting) Order (Northern Ireland) ensuring that L. getula is not introduced to Northern Ireland
  • Reporting any sightings so that Rapid Response can be instigated
  • If Rapid Response is not successful, management can include physical control
Current Legislative Position (Listed on 02 August 2022)
  • This species must not intentionally be brought into the Union; kept; bred; transported to, from or within the United Kingdom, unless for the transportation to facilities in the context of eradication; placed on the market; used or exchanged; permitted to reproduce, grown or cultivated; or released into the environment.
For further queries, you can contact the Invasive Non Native Species (INNS) Team in the Northern Ireland Environment Agency on 028 9056 9558 or Email: invasivespecies@daera-ni.gov.uk
Research
Using Spatial Ecology of L. californiae (a sub species) to strengthen management on the Canary Islands 

Species Related Files:

Invasive Species Northern Ireland

Invasive Species Northern Ireland