Appearance
The speckled kingsnake usually grows up to 48 inches in total length , but the record total length is 72 inches. The common name is derived from the pattern, which is black, with small yellow-white specks, one speck in the center of almost every dorsal scale. It is also known as the "salt-and-pepper snake".
Naming
This snake was first described by American herpetologist John Edwards Holbrook in 1842. At that time he called it ''Coronella sayi'' under the mistaken impression that it was the species previously described by Schlegel as ''Coluber sayi''.In 1902 Stejneger pointed out that because ''Coluber sayi'' is a different snake, ''Pituophis catenifer sayi'', the name ''sayi'' could not be applied to this snake. Therefore, he proposed the name ''Lampropeltis holbrooki'', honoring Holbrook. It was for many years considered a subspecies of ''L. getula'', but has been elevated to full species status as ''L. holbrooki''. See synonymy in speciesbox.
Behavior
When threatened, the speckled kingsnake will shake its tail like a rattlesnake to deter predators. It frequently will expel musk and feces or bite when threatened.It is usually docile, often striking only one or two times after capture, and is frequently kept as a pet. It is commonly captive bred.
Habitat
The speckled kingsnake prefers wetter habitats than other kingsnakes, like swamps and rivers, but it does commonly venture to dry areas like woodlands and grassy fields.Food
The diet of the speckled kingsnake consists of mammals, birds, rodents, frogs, lizards, and other snakes. It kills by constriction.References:
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