Lampropeltis getula meansi

Apalachicola Kingsnake
Taken at Cincinnati Zoo.
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Colubridae
Genus:	Lampropeltis
Species:	L. getula
Subspecies:	L. g. meansi
Trinomial name
Lampropeltis getula meansi & Judd, 2006

The Apalachicola kingsnake (also known as the Apalachicola Lowlands kingsnake) is a nonvenomous species of kingsnake found in a small area of the Florida Panhandle known as the Apalachicola Lowlands. Long argued as to whether or not it is a subspecies, the Apalachicola kingsnake was formerly named Lampropeltis getula goini. After years of research and many more specimens examined, in 2006, it was renamed to L. g. meansi after D. Bruce Means, in recognition of his work on this subspecies.

Description[]

Adults can range from 30 to 56.1 inches. They are characterized by variable coloration patterns with an overall light dorsal coloration and wide or thin banding patterns. However, some striped and patternless specimens have also been identified. The ventral pattern is also variable; some with bicolored, loose checkerboard, or predominantly dark scales. They possess smooth scales and have 21 dorsal scale rows at mid-body.

Geographic range[]

The Apalachicola kingsnake is endemic to Florida, and is only found in the panhandle between the Apalachicola River and and south of Telogia Creek. Morphological intermediates are found on both northern and southern ends of the range. These intermediates represent interbreeding between the Apalachicola kingsnake (L. g. meansi) and the eastern kingsnake (L. g getula).^[1]

Habitat[]

Suitable habitat varies, but their range is quite small. Their habitat includes pinelands, hardwood hammocks, cypress strands, prairies, marshes, and estuaries.

Diet[]

Their diet includes snakes, even venomous ones such as the rattlesnake, lizards, amphibians, rodents, birds, and turtle and bird eggs.

Reproduction[]

Like other kingsnakes, they are oviparous, or egg-laying. Breeding takes place in March, April, and May, and after a month, three to 30 eggs are laid. The eggs hatch in late summer, 65 to 70 days after they have been laid. The hatchlings have an enormous appetite and grow quickly.

References[]

Sources[]

• D. Bruce Means and Kenneth L. Krysko (2001-12-31). "Biogeography and pattern variation of kingsnakes, lampropeltis getula, in the Apalachicola region of Florida". Contemporary Herpetology. 5. ISSN 1094-2246. Retrieved 2008-07-04.^{[dead link]}
• "Apalachicola Lowlands Kingsnake". Center for North American Herpetology. Retrieved 2008-07-04.
• Kenneth L. Krysko and Walter S. Judd (2006). "Morphological systematics of kingsnakes, lampropeltis getula complex (Serpentes: Colubridae), in the eastern United States" (PDF). Zootaxa (1193). ISSN 1175-5334. Retrieved 2008-07-04.

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