completly white w/small black spots

Posted by marlin yelton on May 31, 2006

Q: i am in central arkansas. i just came upon an all white snake covered with black speckles. it had no neck, med. lenght, non agressive. it was by a small stream. can't id. it anywhere. could it be that it just shed?

thanks

Habitat: forest/open woods

State: Arkansas

Habitat: forest/open woods

A: There is a subspecies of the Kingsnake called the Speckled Kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula holbrooki) that is found in Arkansas. This snake has white flecks on a dark/black background but maybe your snake had more white than usual. Snakes can and do vary in their colors so can't rule this out. Also, a snake that is getting ready to molt, not already molted, may have whitish looking, dried skin and this may have thrown you off. Kingsnakes are harmless snakes that actually eat other snakes and are not a threat to humans or pets. Hope this helps with your ID.

John Wiessinger ( June 1, 2006)