Scarlet Kingsnake
Lampropeltis elapsoides
Status: Secure
The Scarlet Kingsnake is a red snake with yellow and black rings around their body. They have a red snout with each yellow ring being separated by the black rings. These snakes are small and can reach about 14-20 inches in total length.
Habitat & Range
Scarlet kingsnakes are found in the southeastern region of the United States in states like North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and Florida. These kingsnakes are most common in the longleaf pine sandhills or in woodlands. They prefer dry habitats and areas that have a lot of grass. These snakes mostly stay hidden under rocks, logs, or debris and only come out to feed.
Food Web & Energy Flow
Scarlet kingsnakes are constrictors which means they kill their prey by squeezing their bodies really tight around their prey until they stop breathing. These snakes feed mostly on lizards but sometimes they will eat small rodents or other small snakes.
Relationship to Fire
Scarlet kingsnakes use the grassy forest floor to find lizards and rodents they like to eat. When fires are frequent, more vegetation is available which can increase the number of lizards, small rodents, and small snakes. The population of these kingsnakes can decline faster if fire suppression continues.
Conservation Status
Scarlet kingsnakes are found in various places in North America. On the map, it shows how the scarlet kingsnake is under different levels of pressure in different states, but overall they are considered Secure.
Human Impacts/ Threats
Fire Suppression
Many people think of fires in the forest as bad, so they work hard to prevent or suppress them. But longleaf forests NEED regular fire to support habitat for the species that live there!
Land Use Conversion
Longleaf forests and the habitat it supports is being cleared or converted to use the land for other uses like houses, roads, agriculture, and even to grow different types of trees to sell.
Resources
Florida Museum. Florida Snake ID Guide
Savannah River Ecology Laboratory. Herpetology Program
Virginia Herpetological Society. Scarlet Kingsnake
Amphibians & Reptiles of North Carolina. Scarlet Kingsnake
