King of the Snakes
Submitted by John Pollpeter, Lead Naturalist at Woodlands Nature Station Just like the lion is “king” of the beasts, the black or common kingsnake is “king” of the snakes. Kingsnakes regularly eat snakes, including venomous ones, as they are partially immune to the venom. Kingsnakes are not venomous. The black kingsnake will strike the rattlesnake behind the head, grasping it tightly as it coils itself around the other snake. The coils slowly constrict the rattlesnake, killing it rather quickly. After a time, the kingsnake will uncoil and begin eating, head first to unhinge its jaws, and swallowing the dead rattler.…
