Scarlet milk snake
The Scarlet kingsnake (Lampropeltis elapsoides) is a nonvenomous species of kingsnake found in the United States. Until recently, and for much of the 20th century, Scarlet kingsnakes were considered a subspecies of the Milk snake; however, Pyron and Bubrink demonstrated the phylogenetic distinction of this species and its closer relationship to the mountain kingsnakes of the southwestern United States. These largely fossorial snakes are the smallest of all the species within the genus Lampropeltis.
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NocturnalNocturnality is an animal behavior characterized by being active during the night and sleeping during the day. The common adjective is "nocturnal",...
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CarnivoreA carnivore meaning 'meat eater' is an organism that derives its energy and nutrient requirements from a diet consisting mainly or exclusively of a...
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TerrestrialTerrestrial animals are animals that live predominantly or entirely on land (e.g., cats, ants, snails), as compared with aquatic animals, which liv...
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PrecocialPrecocial species are those in which the young are relatively mature and mobile from the moment of birth or hatching. Precocial species are normall...
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FossorialA fossorial animal is one adapted to digging which lives primarily but not solely, underground. Some examples are badgers, naked mole-rats, clams, ...
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OviparousOviparous animals are female animals that lay their eggs, with little or no other embryonic development within the mother. This is the reproductive...
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PredatorPredators are animals that kill and eat other organisms, their prey. Predators may actively search for or pursue prey or wait for it, often conceal...
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PolygynandryPolygynandry is a mating system in which both males and females have multiple mating partners during a breeding season.
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Non-venomousSo
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Not a migrantAnimals that do not make seasonal movements and stay in their native home ranges all year round are called not migrants or residents.
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Red AnimalsScarlet kingsnakes have a tricolored pattern of black, red, white, and various shades of yellow bands that appear to mimic the venomous coral snake in a form of Batesian mimicry. Scarlet kingsnakes are born with white, black, and red banding. As they mature, they develop varying shades of yellow within geographic areas where this is expressed. In addition, the yellowing is not uniform, but rather this pigmentation proceeds from lighter to darker from the lowermost scales upward to the dorsum, or "back", presenting a multiple yellowish band. Early expression of yellowing appears as early as 3 months and continues through the first 3 years. As adults age, a gradual darkening of the yellowish banding occurs. The yellow pigmentation varies from lemon to school-bus yellow, to tangerine, to apricot.
Scarlet kingsnakes occur in the southeastern and eastern portions of the United States. They are found in pine flatwoods, hydric hammocks, pine savannas, mesic pine-oak forests, prairies, cultivated fields, and a variety of suburban habitats; not unusually, people find scarlet kingsnakes in their swimming pools, especially during the spring.
Scarlet kingsnakes are secretive, fossorial (living underground)snakes, that lead a solitary life and are infrequently seen by people. They are excellent climbers. They usually hide underneath the loose bark on rotting pines, under the bark on dying or decaying pines and their stumps, and in decaying wood. When the night comes, Scarlet snakes come out from their hiding places to hunt. They are not dangerous to humans and prefer to avoid any confrontation with them. If these snakes sense any danger, they will try to flee rather than attack.
Scarlet kingsnakes are carnivores. They especially prefer skinks but also feed on small snakes, lizards, frogs, toads, mice, rats, voles, birds, and bird eggs.
Scarlet kingsnakes are polygynandrous (promiscuous) which means that both males and females mate with multiple partners. Their breeding season takes place from March to June. Females lay 4-10 eggs, usually in rotting wood, under logs, or may bury them in the soil. Incubation lasts around 40-65 days. Hatchlings range in size from 8 to 18 cm (3.1 to 7.1 in) and are completely independent at birth. They become reproductively mature at 3 to 4 years of age.
There are no major threats to Scarlet kingsnakes at present.
According to IUCN, the Scarlet kingsnake is locally common and widespread throughout its range but no overall population estimate is available. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List and its numbers today are stable.
Scarlet kingsnakes are important predators in their ecosystem of small rodents, snakes, frogs, and birds; this way they control their populations.
