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Mole Kingsnake
Where They’re Found Lampropeltis calligaster rhombomaculata, also known as the mole kingsnake, is found in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast regions of the United States, and the western shore of the Coastal Plain in Maryland (Department of Natural Resources). One can find a mole kingsnake at the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore (Maryland Zoo). They are also found in places with well-drained and sandy soils that are in forests or abandoned fields. Since they are fossorial snakes, they are rarely seen and usually come out at night; however, they usually come out when they are in search of food or their living area got affected, such as heavy rain or “the agricultural field got plowed” (Maryland Zoo). Description One can identify the mole kingsnake by their smooth scales with reddish-brown patches on the back and a yellowish-brown belly, though most people may mistake them as the copperheads. They are usually 30 to 40 inches long, but a record shows 47 inches and weigh about 0.5-1.0 pounds (Department of Natural Resources). Food These reclusive snakes prey on rodents, amphibians, and other reptiles – including poisonous, hence the “king” in their name. They eat mice, frogs, birds, and other snakes. Because they are non-venomous, they catch their prey by constriction. They are the prey of birds, raccoons, and other snakes as well (Maryland Zoo). Mating and Offspring Male and female mole kingsnake mate around May-June during the late spring to early summer (Maryland Zoo). Females leave behind “pheromone trails,” which is how males are able to track them (Maryland Zoo). Females choose their nesting sites and leave their 10-12 eggs to hatch in the summer. The mother does not stay behind to nurture the offspring and usually leave right after they dispersed the eggs. It takes about ten days for the snakes to be independent (Maryland Zoo). A study was conducted to learn more about the reproduction of mole kingsnake since very little is known. The study found that female snakes may have a more active sexual role than males (Reproduction in the Mole Kingsnake). Conservation The mole kingsnake are found to be abundant and not listed as threatened species (Maryland Zoo). Since they live underground, they are well-protected and come out at night. Little is known about these reptiles. References http://dnr2.maryland.gov/wildlife/Pages/plants_wildlife/herps/Squamata.aspx?SnakeName=Mole%20Kingsnake http://www.marylandzoo.org/animals-conservation/reptiles/mole-kingsnake/ Tryon, B., & Carl, G. (1980). Reproduction in the Mole Kingsnake, Lampropeltis calligaster rhombomaculata (Serpentes, Colubridae). Transactions of the Kansas Academy of Science (1903-),83(2), 66-73. doi:10.2307/3627716 Zahrakordkheili (talk) 21:58, 29 March 2017 (UTC)

Description
Lampropeltis calligaster rhombomaculata, also known as the mole kingsnake, can be identified by their smooth scales with reddish-brown patches on the back and a yellowish-brown belly. Most people may mistake them as the copperheads (Agkistrodon contortrix). They are usually 30 to 40 inches long and weigh about 0.5-1.0 pound, but the record is 47 inches long. They have a lifespan of about 14 years.

Habitat and Distribution
L.c. rhombomaculata is found in the Mid-Atlantic, Southeast regions of the United States, and the western shore of the Coastal Plain in Maryland. There are also mole kingsnakes at zoos, including the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, Maryland. They are found in places with well-drained and sandy soils that are in forests or abandoned fields. Since they are fossorial snakes, they are rarely seen and usually come out at night; however, they usually come out when they are in search of food or if their living area got affected with situations such as heavy rain or “agricultural fields got plowed”.

Role in Ecosystem
The mole kingsnakes are reculsive snakes that prey on rodents, amphibians, and other reptiles – including poisonous ones such as cottonmouths (Agkistrodon piscivorus) and rattlesnakes (Crotalus), hence the “king” in their name. They eat mice, frogs, birds, and other snakes. Because these snakes are non-venomous, they catch their prey by constriction, biting their prey then squeezing it until it dies. Mole kingsnakes are the prey of birds, raccoons, and other snakes as well.

Mating and Offspring
Male and female mole kingsnakes mate around May-June during the late spring to early summer. Females leave behind “pheromone trails,” which is how males are able to track them. Female mole kingsnakes leave behind chemical scents that the males sense through their forked tongues. After mating, females choose their nesting sites underground or in rotting logs and leave their 10-12 eggs to hatch in the summer. The mother does not stay behind to nurture her offspring, usually leaving right after she laid the eggs. It takes about ten days for the hatched snakes to be fully independent. A study was conducted in Georgia to learn more about the reproduction of mole kingsnake since very little is known. Once males found the females, they bit into the female and mated. The study found that female snakes may have a more active sexual role than males as the females would engage the male.

Conservation
The mole kingsnake is found to be abundant and it is not listed as threatened species. Since they live underground and are well-protected and come out at night, little is known about these reptiles.Zahrakordkheili (talk) 22:23, 26 April 2017 (UTC)