Posted by Alex, forum owner on June 24, 2005, 11:02 pm, in reply to "Possible Eastern Kingsnake question"
66.169.94.12
Hi Beth;
It is indeed an Eastern King Snake, and is of course harmless (unless you are another snake; they eat them, killing them by constricting them in powerful coils - they are immune to all native snake venom), and good to have around, but dogs will often get very exercised about snakes, especially herders or hunters.
If you move it to a place with a nice stream going through it, or a swampy place, it should stay, but make sure you don't move it very far (no more than a mile). Snakes in general are very territorial, and if moved too far will likely be in somone else's territory, and will either perish trying to get back home, or will displace somone else.
I would suspect that it has been around for some time and hasn't been noticed by you or the dogs so far. I would also suspect its home range is not too far off, probably near a swampy place or a stream or maybe a weedy lake border (favored habitat), and he has wandered into your yard looking for food. I would also hazard the guess that if left alone, he will go about his business soon, as they can range pretty far in their travels.
Their diet is pretty varied. They will eat mice, small rats, baby chipmunks, gophers, turtle eggs, baby turtles, lizards and frogs, but are most famous for overcoming and eating other snakes, including Rattlers, Copperheads, and Cottonmouths.
Eastern Kings range from about 3 to 4 feet, though the record is (according to the Peterson's Guide) 6 feet 10 inches, though that would be rare.
In Charlotte, it could also be a Black Rat Snake with a lot of yellow pattern, though I believe from your description it is an Eastern King.
Hey, I haven't seen a snake at all this year; send me some snake vibes, or a snake prayer. I just want to see one!
--Previous Message--
: Hi, I have what looks like an Eastern
: King that has taken up residence under
: my porch. Black with yellow irregular
: bands, and big, at least 4 to 5 feet(he
: was curled up on my one good look so
: far, so thats a guestimate). The dogs
: are harassing him and tearing up the
: porch trying to get to him. Austrailian
: Cattledogs are part beaver I think and
: they are REALLY into getting to this
: guy. I dont mind having him around, but
: I am wondering if he wouldnt find less
: furry climes more to his taste. If I
: were to catch and move him across the
: street to the uninhabited wooded lot,
: would he stay or would he just come
: back to my porch? Any advice would be
: appreciated.
:
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