Eastern Kingsnake vs. Black Kingsnake

Both are glossy black kingsnakes with smooth scales. The Eastern Kingsnake has narrow white or cream crossbands that fork and join along the sides like a chain; it is born with clean, bright bands and keeps them. The Black Kingsnake, which does not occur in New Jersey, is born with narrow yellow or white crossbands that break up into small flecks as it grows, until the adult is speckled. The bellies differ too: a bold black-and-white or cream checkerboard on the Eastern; mostly black or dark slate on the Black, with small pale marks.

Photographs via iNaturalist under Creative Commons licences; the photographers are credited on the sheet.

More comparisons

• Eastern Kingsnake vs. Central Ratsnake
• Florida Kingsnake vs. Eastern Kingsnake
• Black Kingsnake vs. Central Ratsnake
• Speckled Kingsnake vs. Black Kingsnake

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