Reptiles of North Carolina

Scientific Name:	Common Name:		Family (Alpha):

NC Records
Colubridae Members:
Lampropeltis rhombomaculata - Northern Mole Kingsnake

Photo: L. Purvis

Photo: T. Stafford

Photo: L. Amos

Taxonomy

Class: Reptilia

Order: Serpentes

Family: Colubridae

Subfamily: Colubrinae

Other Common Name(s): Mole Kingsnake


Taxonomic Comments: Lampropeltis consists of 27 species of moderately slender colubrid snakes, ranging widely across much of North America, from southern Canada to as far south as Ecuador.
Species Comments: Lampropeltis rhombomaculata, the Northern Mole Kingsnake, is one of four Lampropeltis in North Carolina. This species is distributed primarily in the eastern United States, ranging from Maryland south to South Carolina, with disjunct records occurring west to Mississippi and south to the Florida Panhandle. It appears absent from southeastern Georgia or peninsular Florida. In North Carolina, it is found across the state, primarily in the Coastal Plain and Piedmont. Scattered records from the Northeastern part of the state and the high Mountains suggest they are uncommon there. One disjunct record exists for Cherokee County in the western tip of the state. L. rhombomaculata was formerly considered a subspecies of L. calligaster (the Prairie Kingsnake). McKelvy and Burbrink (2017) elevated the subspecies to full species status. The generic epithet Lampropeltis is derived from the Greek words lampros, "radiant" or "shiny", and pelta, "shields", in likely reference to the glossy nature of their scales. The specific epithet rhombomaculata refers to the shape of the dorsal blotches, deriving from the Latin rhombus and macla ("spots"). Taxonomic References: Blaney (1979); McKelvy and Burbrink (2017).

Identification

Description: Northern Mole Kingsnakes are moderate sized snakes with small heads about as wide as the neck. Their base dorsal coloration is tan to reddish brown, with darker red-bordered body blotches down the length of the dorsum. Alternating lateral spots are also present, but in some individuals these patterns may be obscured, giving the appearance of an almost plain dorsum. The venter is pale, often yellow-ish, with brown, gray, or red mottling. The head typically has a series of markings on the dorsal surface posterior to the eye, as well as dark stripes extending from the eye to the supralabials. the anterior face scales are typically pale.

Morphological Features: Northern Mole Kingsnakes typically have 21-23 smooth scale rows at midbody. Ventral counts range from 193-213 in NC specimens (Palmer and Braswell, 1995), with 35-51 subcaudals and an undivided anal plate. Head scale counts are typically as follows: 7 supralabials, 8-9 infralabials, 1 loreal, 2 nasals, 1 preocular, 2 postoculars, and 2+3 temporals. Palmer and Braswell (1995) noted variation in scalation across multiple specimens in NC.

Northern Mole Kingsnakes have a maximum recorded total length of 142.2 cm (56 inches). Palmer and Braswell (1995) reported a 113.7 cm specimen from NC. Tail lengths account for approximately 10-14% of total length. Males have relatively longer tails with more subcaudals than females.

Northern Mole Kingsnakes do not have enlarged posterior teeth or Duvernoy's glands, meaning they are incapable of producing venom. They may bite and expel musk when captured, but generally are harmless to humans and pets and often docile when handled.

Technical Reference: Palmer and Braswell (1995); Ernst and Ernst (2003).

Field Guide Descriptions: Palmer and Braswell (1995); Ernst and Ernst (2003); Beane et al. (2010).

Online Photos: Google iNaturalist GBIF

Observation Methods: Northern Mole Kingsnakes can be encountered road cruising at night, or under cover objects. They may be occasionally found active during the day.

Distribution in North Carolina

County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.

Key Habitat Requirements

Habitat: Mole Kingsnakes are found in a wide range of terrestrial habitats,including hardwood forests, mixed pine-oak forests, flatwoods, old fields and other open habitats (Palmer and Braswell, 1995; Beane et al., 2010; and Gibbon, 2017).

Life History and Autecology

Breeding and Courtship: Sexual maturity is reached typically at snout-to-vent lengths greater than 70 cm. Mating occurs in the spring and early summer (April to June).

Reproductive Mode: Mole Kingsnakes are oviparous and typically lay eggs in July that hatch in later summer or Fall (late July to October). Clutches average approximately 8 white, elongate, adherent, large eggs that average 33–38 mm long.

Hatchlings are approximately 23 cm in total length, and weigh approximately 5 g.

Terrestrial Life History: Various sources consider Mole Kingsnakes primarily nocturnal or crepuscular, but as noted by Palmer and Braswell (1995) there are plenty of records of diurnal surface activity; they may shift their activity between the seasons. They can be encountered crossing roads and are primarily terrestrial. Mole Kingsnakes have been recorded in North Carolina in every month except January, but appear to be most active in the spring and summer; most records are from April to June.

Home range estimates are not known from North Carolina, and published home range estimates for Prairie Kingsnakes (L. calligaster) in Kansas do not apply to this species.

General Ecology

Adverse Environmental Impacts

Status in North Carolina

NHP State Rank: S4

Global Rank: G5

Photo Gallery for Lampropeltis rhombomaculata - Northern Mole Kingsnake		25 photos are shown.
	Recorded by: Robert Russo Catawba Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Robert Russo Catawba Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Robert Russo Alexander Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Robert Russo Iredell Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Erich Hofmann and Kayla Weinfurther Jones Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Robert Russo Caldwell Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Robert Russo Alexander Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Robert Russo Alexander Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Robert Russo Alexander Co. Comment:	Recorded by: T. Stafford Moore Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: A. Shepherd Iredell Co. Comment:	Recorded by: B. Bockhahn Wake Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: K. Bischof, S. Becker McDowell Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Erich Hofmann Craven Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: NEW, L. Purvis Moore Co. Comment:	Recorded by: L. Amos Vance Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Robert Russo Alexander Co. Comment:	Recorded by: E. Siratt Scotland Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: J. Gwinn & S. Watts Iredell Co. Comment:	Recorded by: J. Anderson, Wake Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Paul Scharf Halifax Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Paul Scharf Halifax Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Paul Hart, Mary Stevens, Steven Hart, Patrick Hart Harnett Co. Comment:	Recorded by: S. Hartley, C. Helms Moore Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: S. Hartley, C. Helms Moore Co. Comment:

Lampropeltis rhombomaculata - Northern Mole Kingsnake

Photo Gallery for Lampropeltis rhombomaculata - Northern Mole Kingsnake

25 photos are shown.