Eastern kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula)
The eastern kingsnake is a non-venomous snake in the family Colubridae. GBIF holds 1,313 licensed U.S. records of it; it reaches our listing threshold in 9 states, most of all North Carolina (495), Florida (184) and Virginia (162). Its observation records peak in May.
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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.
From Wikipedia: Lampropeltis getula, text under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Is the eastern kingsnake poisonous or venomous?
No. The eastern kingsnake is non-venomous: it belongs to the family Colubridae, not to the pit vipers or coral snakes, the only U.S. land snakes with medically dangerous venom. It may bite if handled; clean the bite like any small wound.
Which states have the eastern kingsnake?
Records are spread over 9 states; the top three, North Carolina, Florida and Virginia, hold 64% of them.
GBIF records filed under this name in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee and West Virginia are counted as the eastern black kingsnake, the species that lives there. GBIF records filed under this name in Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Oklahoma are counted as the speckled kingsnake, the species that lives there. GBIF records filed under this name in California, Nevada, Oregon, Utah and Washington are counted as the California kingsnake, the species that lives there. Records filed under this name in Arizona, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico and Texas are not counted: there the name stands for another species, or the record lies outside this species’ range.
| # | State | Records | Share of state snakes | Rank in state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Carolina | 495 | 2.4% | 17th of 39 |
| 2 | Florida | 184 | 0.9% | 22nd of 49 |
| 3 | Virginia | 162 | 1.5% | 17th of 30 |
| 4 | Georgia | 136 | 2.2% | 10th of 44 |
| 5 | Alabama | 121 | 2.1% | 18th of 44 |
| 6 | South Carolina | 111 | 3.0% | 12th of 40 |
| 7 | Maryland | 70 | 1.9% | 13th of 20 |
| 8 | New Jersey | 25 | 2.2% | 11th of 18 |
| 9 | Delaware | 5 | 0.7% | 13th of 14 |
When is the eastern kingsnake seen?
Across the U.S., observation records of the eastern kingsnake run mostly March through September, peaking in May with 25% of them. Winter (December to February) holds 5% of them.
Season by state
The main season starts in the same month, April, in all 3 states whose main season falls within one calendar year. The most common peak month is May, shared by North Carolina and South Carolina.
| State | Main season | Peak month | Observation records |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia | April through September | April | 55 |
| North Carolina | April through August | May | 40 |
| South Carolina | April through October | May | 35 |
Where the eastern kingsnake is recorded in each state
North Carolina
North Carolina holds 495 licensed records, the 17th most recorded of 39 snakes listed there. Its observation records in North Carolina run mostly April through August, peaking in May; most licensed records come from Dare County, Wake County and Brunswick County. Next come Sampson County (20) and Hyde County (19).
Florida
Florida holds 184 licensed records, the 22nd most recorded of 49 snakes listed there. Most of its licensed records in Florida come from Miami-Dade County, Collier County and Alachua County. Next come Palm Beach County (15) and Monroe County (14).
Virginia
Virginia holds 162 licensed records, the joint 17th most recorded of 30 snakes listed there. Most of its licensed records in Virginia come from Goochland County, Virginia Beach and Northampton County. Next come Chesapeake (13) and Fairfax County (12).
Georgia
Georgia holds 136 licensed records, the 10th most recorded of 44 snakes listed there. Its observation records in Georgia run mostly April through September, peaking in April; most licensed records come from Charlton County, Cobb County and DeKalb County. Next come Baker County (7) and Banks County (6).
Alabama
Alabama holds 121 licensed records, the 18th most recorded of 44 snakes listed there. Most of its licensed records in Alabama come from Lee County, Macon County and Barbour County. Next come Clay County (5) and Cleburne County (5).
South Carolina
South Carolina holds 111 licensed records, the 12th most recorded of 40 snakes listed there. Its observation records in South Carolina run mostly April through October, peaking in May; most licensed records come from Charleston County, Berkeley County and Jasper County. Next come Georgetown County (6) and Greenville County (6).
Maryland
Maryland holds 70 licensed records, the 13th most recorded of 20 snakes listed there. Most of its licensed records in Maryland come from Prince George's County, Charles County and Worcester County. Next come Anne Arundel County (6) and Dorchester County (6).
Top counties in the U.S.
| # | County | State | Records | Share of U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dare County | North Carolina | 65 | 5.0% |
| 2 | Wake County | North Carolina | 46 | 3.5% |
| 3 | Miami-Dade County | Florida | 35 | 2.7% |
| 4 | Lee County | Alabama | 29 | 2.2% |
| 5 | Brunswick County | North Carolina | 25 | 1.9% |
| 6 | Charlton County | Georgia | 24 | 1.8% |
| 7 | Collier County | Florida | 21 | 1.6% |
| 8 | Sampson County | North Carolina | 20 | 1.5% |
| 9 | Hyde County | North Carolina | 19 | 1.4% |
| 10 | Alachua County | Florida | 18 | 1.4% |
| 11 | Goochland County | Virginia | 18 | 1.4% |
| 12 | Prince George's County | Maryland | 16 | 1.2% |
| 13 | Charleston County | South Carolina | 16 | 1.2% |
| 14 | Palm Beach County | Florida | 15 | 1.1% |
| 15 | Carteret County | North Carolina | 15 | 1.1% |
How recent are the eastern kingsnake records?
The eastern kingsnake record leans on older material: only 18% of dated U.S. records come from 2017–2026, and the median record is from 1978. The oldest dated record is from 1856; the busiest year was 1982, with 45 records.
| Decade | Records | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1850s | 1 | 0.1% |
| 1860s | 3 | 0.2% |
| 1870s | 5 | 0.4% |
| 1880s | 5 | 0.4% |
| 1890s | 16 | 1.2% |
| 1900s | 9 | 0.7% |
| 1910s | 49 | 3.7% |
| 1920s | 34 | 2.5% |
| 1930s | 60 | 4.5% |
| 1940s | 66 | 4.9% |
| 1950s | 115 | 8.6% |
| 1960s | 143 | 10.7% |
| 1970s | 191 | 14.3% |
| 1980s | 206 | 15.4% |
| 1990s | 74 | 5.5% |
| 2000s | 62 | 4.6% |
| 2010s | 106 | 7.9% |
| 2020s | 189 | 14.2% |
Species recorded in the same counties
Of the 92 counties where the eastern kingsnake is most recorded, 67 are also top counties for the eastern rat snake, more than for any other snake. None of its closest neighbors is venomous.
| Species | Shared counties |
|---|---|
| Eastern rat snake | 67 |
| Eastern racer | 57 |
| Eastern ribbonsnake | 56 |
| Rough greensnake | 56 |
| DeKay's brown snake | 48 |
| Eastern hog-nosed snake | 48 |
| Common garter snake | 45 |
| Scarlet snake | 44 |
Related species in the U.S.
Other species of the genus Lampropeltis with profiles here: Eastern milksnake, California kingsnake, Prairie kingsnake, Speckled kingsnake, California mountain kingsnake, Mole kingsnake, Central plains milksnake and Eastern black kingsnake.
GBIF records read 2026-09-29. Listed: any license. Counted: CC0/CC BY only. How we count.