Common kingsnake, Eastern kingsnake

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.

Research

Species Related Files:

RA_Lampropeltis_getula_Common_kingsnake