The King snake reference article from the English Wikipedia on 24-Apr-2004 (provided by Fixed Reference: snapshots of Wikipedia from wikipedia.org)

King snake

King snakes are a type of snake that are members of the Lampropeltis genus.

These snakes, which are part of the colubrid family, eat rodents and can get quite large.

Lampropeltis means "shiny shields" and the majority of king snakes have quite vibrant patterns on their skin. King snakes are constrictors and tend to be opportunistic when it comes to their diet; they will eat other snakes, lizards, rodents, birds, and eggs. They are highly resistant to the venom of other snakes, and have been known to eat them. The "king" in their name (as with the King cobra) is a reference to their taste for snake meat.

Some sub-species of this group include the:

• Speckled King Snake (Lampropeltis getula holbrooki)
• California King Snake (Lampropeltis getula californiae)
• California Mountain King Snake
• Scarlet King Snake (Lampropeltis triangulum elapsoides)
• Grey-Banded King Snake (Lampropeltis alterna)

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