Kingsnake / Milksnake
Variable Kingsnake
HarmlessLampropeltis leonis
The Variable Kingsnake (Lampropeltis leonis) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 2 countries.
- Also called
- Kingsnake / Milksnake
- Family
- Colubridae
- Size
- 2–5 ft.
- Habitat
- Forests, farmland, grasslands, and suburbs.
- Behavior
- Powerful constrictors that eat other snakes — including venomous ones; gentle but may musk or vibrate the tail.
- Identify
- Smooth, glossy scales with bold bands or chain-like patterns. Milksnakes mimic coral snakes, but red touches black.
About the Variable Kingsnake
Lampropeltis leonis, known as the Nuevo León kingsnake or variable kingsnake, is a species of colubrid snake endemic to northeastern Mexico.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Variable Kingsnake
- Is the Variable Kingsnake venomous?
- No. The Variable Kingsnake (Lampropeltis leonis) is non-venomous and is not considered dangerous to humans. Like most snakes, it will retreat rather than bite when given the chance.
- Is the Variable Kingsnake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Variable Kingsnake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Variable Kingsnake dangerous?
- The Variable Kingsnake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Variable Kingsnake live?
- The Variable Kingsnake has verified records in 2 countries, including Mexico, United States of America. See the distribution section below for its full range.
- How do I identify the Variable Kingsnake?
- Smooth, glossy scales with bold bands or chain-like patterns. Milksnakes mimic coral snakes, but red touches black.
- How big does the Variable Kingsnake get?
- 2–5 ft.
Where it is found
More Colubridae snakes
Eastern MilksnakeLampropeltis triangulum
California King SnakeLampropeltis californiae
Speckled KingsnakeLampropeltis holbrooki
Eastern KingsnakeLampropeltis getula
Black KingsnakeLampropeltis nigra
Prairie KingsnakeLampropeltis calligaster
Western MilksnakeLampropeltis gentilis
Desert KingsnakeLampropeltis splendida
Classification
How scientists group this snake, from the broadest category down to the exact species. Each step narrows to its closest relatives.
- OrderThe broad group of scaled reptiles: all snakes and lizards
- Squamata
- FamilyA group of related snakes that share key traits
- Colubridae
- GenusA close-knit group of very similar species
- Lampropeltis
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Lampropeltis leonis
Keep learning
- What to Do If You Find a SnakeFound a snake at home or on a trail? Here is how to stay calm, give it space, identify it safely, and know when to call a professional.
- Venomous vs Nonvenomous: How to Tell the DifferenceThe folk rules for telling venomous snakes apart, where each one fails, and why location-based identification beats guessing by sight.
- What Is a Snake? Anatomy and the BasicsA clear overview of what makes a snake a snake: limbless body plan, anatomy, evolution from lizards, species diversity, and why they are ectothermic.
- How to Keep Snakes Out of Your Yard and HomeA practical guide to keeping snakes out of your yard and home using habitat changes that work, plus what to skip and what to do if one shows up.
Distribution from GBIF & iNaturalist. Venom status per CDC. Background: Wikipedia. Informational only. Never handle a snake to identify it.