Meet the MS snake that will eat a venomous copperhead for a snack. Can it hurt you too?
As snake season continues in Mississippi, it’s important to recognize which snakes are venomous — and which ones help keep venomous species in check.
Kingsnakes play an important role in Mississippi’s ecosystem and are often known for preying on some of the state’s most feared snakes, like copperheads and rattlesnakes.
Here’s what to know about kingsnakes, often considered one of the “good” snakes in the state.
What does a kingsnake look like?
Mississippi has six different kinds of kingsnakes, including the following, according to the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks:
- Speckled Kingsnake
- Eastern Black Kingsnake
- Prarie Kingsnake
- Mole Kingsnake
- Scarlet Kingsnake
- Red Milksnake
Kingsnakes are identified by their glossy black scales with yellow or cream speckling, according to MS Herps, an online guide dedicated to reptiles and amphibians found in Mississippi.
How does a kingsnake help keep out the “bad” snakes?
Kingsnakes eat other snakes, like copperheads and cottonmouths, along with rodents and other small vertebrates, MS Herps experts said.
The strong snakes wrap around their prey and suffocate them before eating them, experts said.
Are kingsnakes dangerous to humans?
No, kingsnakes are nonvenomous, so they are not dangerous to humans.
What to do if you see a kingsnake in MS?
Kingsnakes are usually active in the morning and dusk and occasionally nocturnal during the warmer months, experts said. If you see one in the wild, you should leave it alone and let it do its thing.
