Comparison of Elaphe and Lampropeltis
Comparison of Elaphe and Lampropeltis
What's the difference between rat snakes (Elaphe) and king snakes
(Lampropeltis)?
According to the Handbook of Snakes of the US and Canada,
these are the major
characteristics that distinguish these genera
from each other and from other genera
of colubrid snakes.
| Characteristic |
Elaphe |
Lampropeltis |
| head |
distinct |
not distinct |
| anal |
divided |
entire |
| ventrals |
angulate |
not angulate |
| scales |
smooth or weakly keeled |
smooth |
| scale rows |
25-33 |
17-27 |
| upper labials |
8-11 |
7 |
| lower labials |
11-16 |
9-11 |
| loreal |
1 |
1 |
| nasals |
2 |
2 |
| preocular |
1 |
1 |
| postoculars |
2 |
2-3 |
| temporals |
variable |
usually 2+3+4 |
| maxillary teeth |
equal, smooth |
subequal, 12-20 |
Credits
This information was taken from
Hanbook of Snakes of the US and Canada
by A. H. Wright & A. A. Wright
1957 Cornell University Press
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