Common Kingsnake
Lampropeltis getula
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Cordats)
- ClassSquamata
- FamilyColubridae (Colúbrids)
- GenusLampropeltis (Kingsnakes and Milk Snakes)
- SpeciesLampropeltis getula (Common Kingsnake)
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. Four subspecies are recognized, including the nominate subspecies described here. Each of these taxa had previously been described as distinct species for more than a century. Wikipedia →
Closest Relatives at Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Black Kingsnake
Lampropeltis nigra
Eastern Milksnake
Lampropeltis triangulum
Common Watersnake
Nerodia sipedon
Eastern Rat Snake
Pantherophis alleghaniensis
Common Garter Snake
Thamnophis sirtalis
Ringneck Snake
Diadophis punctatus
Eastern Worm Snake
Carphophis amoenus
DeKay's Brownsnake
Storeria dekayi
North American Racer
Coluber constrictor
Rough Green Snake
Opheodrys aestivus
Queen Snake
Regina septemvittata
Redbelly Snake
Storeria occipitomaculata
📅 Monthly Probability
Fewer than 5 records of Common Kingsnake at Great Smoky Mountains National Park — not enough to chart months honestly.
☀️ When They're Spotted
Most active during daytime hours (6am–6pm) · across all parks (global)
Global Distribution
Where this species is recorded worldwide. Restricted to human observations from 2019 onwards — the same kind of record and the same period the probabilities on this page are built from, so collar-tracking studies, camera-trap arrays and museum specimens are excluded. Around Santa Rosa that removes 5,924 GPS fixes from a handful of tagged jaguars.
where this species is recorded (GBIF density — it tracks where observers go, not how likely a sighting is) · parks where it occurs — tap a pin for the sighting probability there
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Big Cypress National Preserve | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 2 | Everglades National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 3 | Congaree National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 4 | Shenandoah National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 5 | Great Smoky Mountains National Park | 🇺🇸 United States |