King snakes are a diverse group of reptiles found across various North American habitats, from forests and grasslands to deserts. These non-venomous constrictors are known for their adaptability and play a distinctive role in their ecosystems. Understanding their dietary habits, both in their natural environments and in captivity, offers insight into their biology and care.
Natural Prey
In their natural habitats, king snakes exhibit opportunistic and generalist feeding behaviors. Their diet varies by species, location, and prey availability. They are active hunters, consistently seeking out their next meal rather than waiting in ambush.
King snakes consume a wide array of animals, including rodents, birds, bird eggs, lizards, and amphibians. They subdue prey by coiling around them and constricting until suffocation.
Diet for Captive King Snakes
For king snakes kept as pets, providing an appropriate and consistent diet is important for their health. The primary food source for captive king snakes should be commercially available, pre-killed rodents, such as mice or young rats. This practice prevents potential injuries to the snake that can occur from live prey, which may bite the snake. Frozen rodents should be completely thawed before being offered to the snake.
The size of the prey item should be proportionate to the snake’s girth, generally not exceeding 1.5 times the widest part of the snake’s body. Hatchlings typically start with pinky mice, while adults may consume larger mice or small rats. Feeding frequency depends on the snake’s age and size; hatchlings may eat every 5-7 days, juveniles every 7-10 days, and adults every 10-14 days.
Avoid overfeeding, as king snakes can become obese, leading to health issues. Fresh, clean water should always be available in a shallow, untippable bowl.
Unique Dietary Adaptations
A distinguishing characteristic of king snakes is their ability to consume other snakes, a behavior known as ophiophagy. Their common name, “king snake,” stems from this predatory habit, as they prey on other serpents, including venomous species. This includes pit vipers like rattlesnakes, copperheads, and cottonmouths. King snakes also prey on non-venomous snakes such as garter snakes, rat snakes, and even other king snakes.
King snakes possess a natural resistance to the venom of many North American pit vipers. This resistance is attributed to specialized enzymes in their blood that can neutralize venom, allowing them to survive bites that would be fatal to other predators. While this resistance is significant, it is not an absolute immunity to all venoms, particularly those from non-native species or those with different venom compositions, like coral snakes. Combined with their constricting abilities, this venom resistance makes them effective predators of other snakes.