South Florida Mole Kingsnake
Lampropeltis occipitolineata
The South Florida Mole Kingsnake grows an average length range of 30-42 inches. It has over 75 small, dark blotches down its back, 21 midbody scale rows or fewer, and a n…
How to identify
The South Florida Mole Kingsnake grows an average length range of 30-42 inches. It has over 75 small, dark blotches down its back, 21 midbody scale rows or fewer, and a network of dark lines on the back of its head. It was formerly considered a subspecies of Lampropeltis calligaster, but recent genetic studies have shown that it is a distinct species.
Range
The South Florida Mole Kingsnake is endemic to the United States. It is only found in parts of central Florida from Brevard County south to Lake Okeechobee and west to Charlotte and DeSoto counties.
Habitat
They thrive in open areas like fields, barnyards, prairies, farmland, rocky hillsides, thickets, open woodland, Flatwoods, and pastures. Habitats with dry, loose soil and a permanent source of water. Mole kingsnakes spend a lot of time underground and are very secretive. They can also be found in residential areas. They feed primarily on rodents, their diet also includes small mammals and other small animals like bird, lizards and other snakes. The breeding period is at the end of spring to early summer and females lay up to 17 eggs. The eggs are laid underground in the summer and hatch in late summer to early fall.
Similar species
Mole Kingsnakes, Lampropeltis rhombomaculata typically have fewer blotches down the back and 21-23 midbody scale rows.
Name and etymology
Genus
Lampropeltis
Greek for shiny (lampros) shield (pelta), referencing the shiny scales of the genus.
Origin
Sources
- Fitzinger, 1843. Syst. Rept., p. 25 ↗
Lampropeltis. Fitzinger, 1843 - Syst. Rept., p. 25
Species epithet
occipitolineata
Latin for back of head (occiput) lined or striped (lineata) referencing the network of dark lines on the back of the head.
Origin
Sources
- Price, 1987. Bull. Chicago Herp. Soc., Vol. 22, No. 9, p. 148
Lampropeltis calligaster occipitolineata. Price, 1987 - Bull. Chicago Herp. Soc., Vol. 22, No. 9, p. 148
Explore more names in the etymology index.
At a glance
Range
The South Florida Mole Kingsnake is endemic to the United States. It is only found in parts of central Florida from Brevard C…
Habitat
They thrive in open areas like fields, barnyards, prairies, farmland, rocky hillsides, thickets, open woodland, Flatwoods, an…
Guide
Reptiles and Amphibians of North America
Range map
Approximate range. © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap