Kenneth L. Krysko photo.

Scientific name: Lampropeltis calligaster rhombomaculata

Description: Average adult size is 30-40 inches (76.2-101.6 cm), record is 47 inches (119.3 cm). Adults are tannish to orange, with 50 or fewer black-bordered reddish-brown body blotches. There are smaller reddish-brown blotches on the sides between the larger mid-dorsal blotches. Some old individuals may be almost solid brown. The belly is checkered or clouded brown. The neck is indistinct. There is a light colored Y-shaped pattern on the back of the head and neck. There is a dark line through the eye. The scales are smooth, and there are 21-23 dorsal scale rows at midbody. The pupil is round. Juvenile coloration is similar to that of adults, but may be slightly darker.

Mole kingsnake: Top of the head (notice the large plate-like scales on the top of the head.

Mole kingsnake: Left to right: Side of the head; front (face view) of the head.

Range: In Florida, it is found in the panhandle. There have been isolated reports from the northern peninsula around Leesburg and the St. Johns River. Outside of Florida, it is found from eastern Louisiana to Maryland.

Habitat: Rare, it has been found near pinelands, hardwood hammocks, sandhills, prairies, and agricultural fields.

Comments: . The mole kingsnake is a terrestrial burrower, active mainly at night. It has been found under boards and logs, around plowed fields, and crossing roads at night. Because of its fossorial behavior, less than 40 specimens have been found in Florida within the last 30 years.

It feeds on lizards, rodents, and other snakes.

It lays eggs. No natural nests have been recorded and no newborns have been collected in the wild, possibly due to their fossorial bahavior. Records from captive specimens indicate that breeding occurs in the spring, with newborns around 5-7 inches (12.7-17.7 cm) hatching in late summer.

Comparison with other species: The corn snake (Elaphe guttata) has a distinct neck, light spear-shaped pattern on the back of the head and neck, and black and white checkerboard patterned belly.

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