Desert King Snake Adult (April 24, 2007), Tynan, Texas

 (Lampropeltis getula splendida) Non-poisonous (and, being less irritable than its close cousin, the speckled king snake, rarely bites when handled), Aggressive if cornered but flees if escape is possible, Beneficial

Photos courtesy of Ken C.; text by Jerry Cates

The king snake species Lampropeltis getula is present, in Texas, in two distinct subspecies. Both are found throughout the southern half of the United States.  The speckled king snake (Lampropeltis getula holbrooki) is most numerous in the moist, forested eastern third of the state, while the desert king snake (L. getula splendida) prefers central and west Texas.  Tynan, Texas, where this desert king was found, is located northwest of Corpus Christi, and east of Mathis. 

Both the speckled king and the desert king snakes are glossy black (often dark brown), with a profusion of singular yellow spots. For the speckled king snake, nearly every scale on the back and sides has a yellow spot, but in the desert king snake the spots are confined to the sides and to narrow crossbands that pass, at intervals, from side to side across the spine.

Unlike its more pugnacious speckled cousin, the desert king snake is possessed of a mild disposition and is more likely to flee than to defend its territory. Both are apt to make good use of their scent glands and feces to produce strong, objectionable odors in hopes of repulsing would-be attackers.  The desert king will bite, but is not quick to do so (unlike its aforementioned relative, which is apt to bite viciously when handled).

As a close up of this specimen shows, some, but not most, of the scales on the back and sides (including the head) sport a tiny yellow spot.  This is a characteristic of pure desert king snakes that have not interbred with the speckled king snakes (interglade specimens have more scales with yellow spots than not).  The belly is yellow, with numerous dark orthogonal blotches, but is not visible in these photos.  The dorsal scales are arranged in 23-25 rows at mid body, and are unkeeled, appearing--at least to me--much as do the squares in a padded quilt....

Many thanks to Ken C. for these photos...

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