The Apalachicola kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula meansi) is a species of kingsnake that can be found in the habitat regions of Florida as well as in the south of Telogia Creek among others.
Most of the individuals of this species generally have ring-like structures or bands, which are generally yellow or white in coloration, all over their bodies, while some may be patternless or have a striped pattern.
Females are oviparous and lay up to 30 eggs, and the hatching of the eggs occurs typically after 65-70 days.
Eggs are generally laid in safe environments so as to protect them from any other possible threat or danger. These species feed on a large range of animals, reptiles being their primary food.
Not much information is available on the lifespan of this species in the wild. They are non-venomous and not aggressive by nature.
However, when one tries to tamper with this species of snakes, they will not shy away from attacking the person.
Eastern kingsnakes (Lampropeltis g getula), in general, are known to have the largest distribution worldwide, among other North American snakes. The exact population of this snake is not yet known.
Keep on reading to know more about Apalachicola kingsnakes. Check out sea snake facts and king cobra facts to learn more about other animals.
Apalachicola Kingsnake Interesting Facts
What type of animal is an Apalachicola kingsnake?
The Apalachicola kingsnake is a species of snake that can be found in the regions of Florida.
What class of animal does an Apalachicola kingsnake belong to?
The Apalachicola kingsnakes belong to the Reptilia class of animals.
How many Apalachicola kingsnakes are there in the world?
The exact population of this species in the world is not yet known. They are known to inhabit a much smaller range of habitats as compared to other species of threat. They are not endangered or extinct and have maintained their stable population in their habitat regions.
Where does an Apalachicola kingsnake live?
The Apalachicola kingsnake can be found in the habitats of Florida, as well as in the territorial region between the eastern Apalachicola lowlands and river and the Ochlokonee River and the south of Telogia Creek. Eastern kingsnakes (Lampropeltis getula getula), in general, are known to have the largest national distribution worldwide, among other North American snakes.
What is an Apalachicola kingsnake's habitat?
This species of kingsnakes are known to inhabit a small range of natural habitats that mainly consist of marshes and pinelands to hardwood hammocks and natural estuaries.
Who does an Apalachicola kingsnake live with?
Not much is really known about the behavior of the Apalachicola kingsnakes. However, snakes, in general, are solitary creatures. They do not form groups or pairs and usually can be found alone.
How long does an Apalachicola kingsnake live?
Found in the region of Florida and the eastern Apalachicola lowlands, the exact lifespan of this species in the wild is not yet known. Kingsnakes generally can live up to 20-30 years.
How do they reproduce?
The months of March, April, and May are typically considered to be the breeding season of this species of snakes. Females are oviparous and can lay up to 30 eggs at a time. Hatching of the eggs occurs after 65-70 days. Eggs are usually laid in protected environments or under the ground.
What is their conservation status?
The conservation status for the Apalachicola kingsnake is not yet registered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. However, there has been no significant decline in their population in regions of their habitat.
Apalachicola Kingsnake Fun Facts
What do Apalachicola kingsnakes look like?
The Apalachicola kingsnake (Lampropeltis g. meansi) is a large-sized snake covered with smooth scales. Generally, most of the individuals of this species have ring-like structures or bands all over their bodies.
However, there have been reports of several individuals of this species having striped patterns or simply being patternless. Their bodies are generally light in coloration, with the bands on their bodies being yellow or white in coloration. They are known to possess 21 rows of scales at their midbodies.
How cute are they?
No, the Apalachicola kingsnake may not be cute to you at all. Although they are a nonvenomous species of snakes, because of the myth that all species of snakes are venomous, one tends to get scared when encountered by one.
The Apalachicola kingsnake, however, does possess a beautifully patterned body that differs from individual to individual of this species. Some have no pattern at all, while some have a striped pattern all over their bodies.
How do they communicate?
There is no detailed information on how these species of snakes communicate with each other. In general, snakes communicate with each other through the help of pheromones which are chemical substances that are released from an individual's body.
The other eastern kingsnake, or the Apalachicola kingsnake, in turn, picks up those pheromones with the help of its vomeronasal organs and tries to decode the message.
How big is an Apalachicola kingsnake?
The Apalachicola kingsnake is a large-sized snake with a body length of 30-56.1 in (76.2-142.5 cm). They are larger in size than most species of nonvenomous snake, like the false coral snake.
How fast can an Apalachicola kingsnake run?
The exact speed of this species of snake is not yet known. One of their defensive mechanisms in the face of threat is to flee to a safer environment. They are thought to be pretty fast because of their ability to catch and feed on a wide range of prey.
How much does an Apalachicola kingsnake weigh?
The exact weight of this species of snakes varies widely between 10-80 oz (283.5-2268 g).
What are the male and female names of their species?
There is no sex-specific name for this species of snakes or any other species of snakes. The males are called male Apalachicola kingsnakes, and females are known as the female Apalachicola kingsnakes.
What would you call a baby Apalachicola kingsnake?
A baby Apalachicola kingsnake is known as a snakelet.
What do they eat?
The Apalachicola kingsnakes are known to feed on a large range of animals like small mammals, birds, lizards, and turtles. They also feed on other venomous and kingsnakes.
The feeding process depends on the size of their prey. Preys of large size are hunted down by applying pressure on them, whereas preys that are smaller in size are engulfed whole by the Apalachicola kingsnakes.
Are they poisonous?
No, the Apalachicola kingsnakes are not poisonous. They are non-venomous and do not attack a human at first chance. However, when they feel threatened or cornered, they may attack the person and bite them. Their bites do not contain any venom and therefore are not life-threatening for a human being.
Would they make a good pet?
The Apalachicola kingsnakes do not make good pets. Although they are non-venomous and are non-aggressive by nature, they do not do well around human beings or other pets, and you should try to avoid them as much as possible.
They might not bite at the first given chance, yet, if they feel stressed or threatened, they will not shy away from biting the person standing in front of them.
They are not easily spotted or seen roaming around, unlike most other species. Many researchers have gone on expeditions in search of this species, but all in vain.
Did you know...
In the face of danger, the Apalachicola kingsnakes, just like the eastern kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula getula), are known to rapidly move their tails to and fro, which produces a buzzing sound. They may also bite the individual and release a foul odor substance from the glands present at the base of their tails.
Individuals of this species who do not possess any bands on their bodies tend to have a patternless or striped body. These individuals are mostly black in color.
The offspring of these species of snake is known to have a speedy growth and a comparatively larger appetite than other species.
Found in the habitat region of Florida and south of Telogia Creek, this species of snake derives its scientific name Lampropeltis g. meansi from D. Bruce Means, who is known for his extensive research on this species. This subspecies of kingsnakes was initially called the Lampropeltis getula goini.
The eastern kingsnakes (Lampropeltis getula getula) are also called milk snakes, owing to the myth that revolves around them. According to this myth, they are known to drink milk from cows.
The kingsnakes have a round belly shape, while the corn snakes possess a flat belly shape. This is one of the major criteria that help to differentiate between these two species of snakes.
Kingsnakes, as their name suggests, are truly the king of snakes, as they are known to feed on other venomous species of snakes, like rattlesnakes and cottonmouths as well.
Kingsnakes are mainly active during the day and rest during the night.
Kingsnakes are known by a wide range of names, like the eastern kingsnakes, chain kingsnakes, black kingsnake, pine snake, racer snake, thunderbolt, and thunder snake, to name a few.
Are kingsnakes good to have around?
Eastern kingsnakes (Lampropeltis getula getula) are kept as a pet in many households. Under proper training, they may be extremely comfortable with human beings.
Also, their maintenance does not require much hardship; that is, they are easy to care for.
The unique coloration of their bodies often tempts reptile lovers to search for them as a pet. One of the advantages of keeping the kingsnake as a pet is that they are known to feed other venomous species of snakes like the rattlesnake or the cottonmouth and will protect your home from any poisonous invaders.
Can a kingsnake kill you?
No, an eastern kingsnake (Lampropeltis g. getula and the Lampropeltis g. meansi) cannot kill a human being. Kingsnakes are non-venomous species of snakes and do not bite humans unless they feel scared or threatened.
They are docile creatures by nature, and for this reason, they are kept as pets in many households. However, their temperament can range from subspecies to subspecies. Cases have been reported where after being given proper training, they have turned out to be very good pets to have in one's house.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other reptiles from our python facts and cottonmouth snake facts pages.
You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable Aphalachicola Kingsnake coloring pages.
