The Black Kingsnake Lampropeltis getula nigra in its purest form, is a beautiful snake. As the name suggests, this is basically a smooth scaled black snake with a glossy shine, and depending on the locality, it may have varying degrees of pattern dorsally with some individuals lacking pattern all together.
It has been our observations that there is a distinct tendency for those populations from upland habitats (left) to be the darkest, while the lowland populations (right) are more apt to retain more of the juvenile pattern.
The ventral coloration can vary from white to yellow with a good amount of irregular black markings intersperced throughout. This light coloration extends up the sides to a lesser or greater extent depending on the individual.
The Black Kingsnake is intermediate in size for a common kingsnake.
