Will and I conduct a lot of field work here in Kentucky and along the way we are able to make many natural history observations. This series of photo's details the reproductive biology of a group of black kingsnakes on a large undisturbed property where we have been surveying for herps for well over a decade. The bulk of our focus area is comprised of upland forest and hill country. When we decided to concentrate our efforts on the native kingsnakes we selected old field habitat at the base of the hills along a riparian corridor. The kingsnakes avoided the canopied forests of the hills themselves, so we decided to place artificial cover in what we deemed the most likely habitat that the research forest had to offer for finding kingsnakes. The photo above is where we deployed our artificial cover to attract kingsnakes.
The kingsnakes here are quite attractive. Usually very dark with little pattern.
Before long kingsnakes were observed under our materials and we were soon able to differentiate between individuals. This large male became a fixture and was noted on many occasions.
We were able to document many life events with the snakes that we found beneath our materials. Some commonly observed events included digesting a meal or preparing for ecdysis. Aside from the large male noted above, the other most commonly observed resident was this female. As you can see from this photo she is heavily gravid and was utilizing the heat from the AC to fascilitate the development of the eggs she was holding.
This is the board that she most commonly used.
It was also beneath this board that she placed her clutch of eggs.
Later in the summer the eggs began to pip.
Aside from this particular pair of snakes, we were able to observe and photograph a number of kings from this location. This is a brief summary of the events that we were able to record at this location. We were able to collect a lot of other interesting data but to detail more at the moment would make this post way too long. As another aside, I thought that some of you may like to have a look at some of the other snake species from this research site.
Northern copperhead
Red x Eastern intergrade milk snake
Timber rattlesnake
These species inhabit the upland habitat above our kingsnake site. The only other species that we have recorded from the kingsnake site itself was a solitary racer that was most likely on it way to its hibernacula. It is very clear that other snake species generally avoid this area.
Hope some of you guys found all of this interesting.
Phil
