Lampropeltis getula
Silhouette: Andy Wilson · PhyloPic
In 3 days ~50% in a week ~80%
Lampropeltis getula, commonly known as the eastern kingsnake, the common kingsnake, and the chain kingsnake, is a species of harmless snake in the subfamily Colubrinae of the family Colubridae. The species is native to the southeastern United States. It has long been a favorite among collectors. Four subspecies are recognized, including the nominate subspecies described here. Each of these taxa had previously been described as distinct species for more than a century.
Adult specimens of the speckled kingsnake, Lampropeltis getula holbrooki, are the smallest race at 91.5 cm (36.0 in) in snout-to-vent length (SVL) on average, while L. g. getula is the largest subspecies at 107 cm (42 in) SVL on average. Specimens up to 208.2 cm (82.0 in) in total length (including tail) have been recorded. Weight can vary from 285 g (10.1 oz) in a small specimen of 87.2 cm (34.3 in) in total length, to 2,268 g (80.0 oz) in large specimens, of over 153 cm (60 in) in total length.
The color pattern consists of a glossy black, blue black, or dark brown ground color, overlaid with a series of 23–52 white chain-like rings. Variation is found in their patterns across geographic ranges... Wikipedia →
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Big Cypress National Preserve | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 2 | Everglades National Park | 🇺🇸 United States |
| # | City | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | 🇺🇸 United States |
Possible
About 20% of wildlife watchers report a Common Kingsnake sighting in Big Cypress National Preserve on a given day, based on 30 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data from 2019 to 2026. It is the 26th most-seen of the 37 reptiles we can rate there. Over three days the chance rises to about 50%, and over a week to about 80%, if each day is a fresh chance.
August
In that month about 40% of wildlife watchers report a Common Kingsnake in Big Cypress National Preserve on a given day, against under 5% in January and October, the lowest months. That is one of Big Cypress National Preserve's wettest months, with about 210 mm of rain against 40 mm in March.
Between 10 am and 1 pm
Across all the parks we cover, that three-hour window holds the most Common Kingsnake sightings with a recorded time, and about 8 in 10 of them come between 6 am and 6 pm: it is a daytime animal.
Yes
Of the 2 parks where we can rate Common Kingsnake sightings, Big Cypress National Preserve has the highest daily chance: about 20%. Next come Everglades National Park (United States, about 10%).
Same family: Colubridae
The closest relatives of the Common Kingsnake that you can see in Big Cypress National Preserve (family Colubridae, Colubrid Snakes) are Banded Water Snake (about 60%), Brown Watersnake (about 50%) and Scarletsnake (about 40%), with each one's daily chance of a sighting.
GBIF citizen-science records
It is estimated from how often the Common Kingsnake is recorded against all the reptiles logged in Big Cypress National Preserve (30 verified sightings from 2019 to 2026), calibrated against known sighting rates. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10% because citizen-science data supports honest approximations, not decimals, and months with records from fewer than five people show "—". How it works.
