Happy Mystery Monday! Can you guess what is pictured in photo #1?
The answer to last week’s mystery is the Eastern kingsnake, Lampropeltis getula, pictured in photo #2.
The Eastern kingsnake is a powerful constrictor, but is harmless to humans. They are non-venomous, but will feed on venomous snakes, like copperheads and rattlesnakes. This makes them a great snake to have in the yard.
Eastern kingsnakes are shiny, black, smooth-scaled snakes with white or yellow chain-link bands that cross the back and connect along the sides. Because of this pattern this species is also referred to as the chain kingsnake.
Correction: Last week we incorrectly identified Cirsium discolor as the non-native Cirsium vulgare. The photo we shared was indeed the native Cirsium discolor.
Adkins Mystery Monday is sponsored by the Spy and Adkins Arboretum. For more information go here.
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