Posted by agh on Friday, August 29, 2003 at 8:48PM :
In Reply to: Re: Way off topic, the wonders of nature posted by Paul(in NY) on Friday, August 29, 2003 at 7:47PM :
The Kingsnake derives its name from its habit of eating other snakes, and is most famous for eating rattlesnakes, copperheads and coral snakes. But it also feeds on other snakes, lizards, birds and their eggs, small mammals, turtles and frogs. It is usually active in the morning and later afternoon but under very hot conditions will be active at night.
Although regarded as a gentle snake, when threatened the Kingsnake hisses, strikes and vibrates its tail. When attacked it will roll into a ball with its head in the center, smearing its attackers with musk and feces.
The Kingsnake locates and identifies rattlesnakes at night with its sense of smell. It immediately bites and surrounds its victim with suffocating coils, as a Boa Constrictor would do. Since it is immune to the poison of venomous snakes, the Kingsnake is little concerned with being bitten. When the rattlesnake is well exhausted, the Kingsnake simply swallows it whole, while still alive.
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