kingsnake
Constrictor eating vipers
A kingsnake is a nonvenomous North American snake that kills by constriction.
Kingsnakes are named for their habit of eating other snakes, including venomous species like rattlesnakes—they're immune to pit viper venom.
Popular as pets for their docile temperament and striking banded patterns: The California kingsnake is one of the most commonly kept reptiles.
Taxonomic rank beneath species
- morphsChanges form gradually
- herpetologyStudy of reptiles, amphibians
- taxonomyScience of categorical arrangement
- nonvenomousProducing no poison
constrictor · field guide · scales · keeled
Glass-walled growing enclosure
- enclosureConfined, bordered space
- substrateUnderlying supporting material
- heat lampRadiant warming fixture
- thermostatAutomatic climate control device
humidity · water dish · feeding · mice · rats · shedding · handling · docile
Harmless copying harmful appearance
- warning colorationConspicuous hues signaling unpalatability
- bandsMusical performing groups
- tricolorThree-hued emblem
- patternRecurring arrangement or template
disguise · defense mechanism · rhyme · identification · lookalike · survival strategy · deception
Viper with segmented tail noisemaker
- copperheadNorth American venomous snake
- cottonmouthVenomous semiaquatic pit viper
- pit viperHeat-sensing venomous snake
- constrictionTightening or narrowing action
prey · rodents · lizards · birds · eggs · hunting · ambush · squeeze
Forested land area
- grasslandTreeless herb-covered ecosystem
- rocky outcropExposed rock mass protruding
- desertTo leave behind completely
- chaparralDense, drought-adapted shrubbery
pine forest · farmland · burrow · leaf litter · ground cover · North America · southeastern · southwestern
subspecies
Taxonomic rank beneath species
- morphsChanges form gradually
- herpetologyStudy of reptiles, amphibians
- taxonomyScience of categorical arrangement
nonvenomous · constrictor · field guide · scales · keeled
terrarium
Glass-walled growing enclosure
- enclosureConfined, bordered space
- substrateUnderlying supporting material
- heat lampRadiant warming fixture
thermostat · humidity · water dish · feeding · mice · rats · shedding · handling · docile · captive bred
Batesian mimicry
Harmless copying harmful appearance
- warning colorationConspicuous hues signaling unpalatability
- bandsMusical performing groups
- tricolorThree-hued emblem
pattern · disguise · defense mechanism · rhyme · identification · lookalike · survival strategy · deception
rattlesnake
Viper with segmented tail noisemaker
- copperheadNorth American venomous snake
- cottonmouthVenomous semiaquatic pit viper
- pit viperHeat-sensing venomous snake
constriction · prey · rodents · lizards · birds · eggs · hunting · ambush · squeeze · swallow
woodland
Forested land area
- grasslandTreeless herb-covered ecosystem
- rocky outcropExposed rock mass protruding
- desertTo leave behind completely
chaparral · pine forest · farmland · burrow · leaf litter · ground cover · North America · southeastern · southwestern · range
- kingsnakes
- reptileslizard, turtle, crocodile, alligator, python
- limbless animalscobra, python, viper, boa, mamba
- snakescobra, anaconda, boa, viper, python
- Southwest WildlifeGila monster, roadrunner, javelina, coyote, sidewinder
- snake eatersmongoose, secretary bird, honey badger, roadrunner
kingsnakecoral snake
Venomous striped serpent
rattlesnake · copperhead · cottonmouth · water moccasin · pit viper