NC snake eats venomous copperheads. What to know about the ‘secretive’ creatures

A non-venomous snake found across North Carolina preys on copperheads and is immune to their venom. Wildlife experts say the Eastern kingsnake population may be declining and urge people to leave the reptiles alone.

FULL STORY: This ‘secretive’ NC snake eats copperheads. What it looks like & where it lives

Here are key takeaways:

• Eastern kingsnakes are black with yellow or white chain-like markings and can be more than 6 feet long. Their patterns can vary by region. Kingsnakes on the Outer Banks tend to be brown with light patches of color, while those in the most western parts of the state have spots breaking up the chains.
• The snakes are immune to copperhead venom, and they kill prey by squeezing them. Their diet also includes birds, frogs, lizards, turtle eggs and rodents.

• The “secretive” snakes are found throughout North Carolina but are rare at high elevations and in urban areas. They often spend time near bodies of water and hide under logs and rocks.
• Populations may be declining in the Southeast, according to Jeff Hall, statewide herpetologist with the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission. Possible causes include disease, lack of prey and human-caused habitat loss.
• Wildlife biologist Falyn Owens advises people to give all snakes room. “I always say, admire them from a distance.”

The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. The full story in the link at top was reported, written and edited entirely by journalists.

This story was originally published May 25, 2026 at 7:00 AM with the headline "NC snake eats venomous copperheads. What to know about the ‘secretive’ creatures."

Simone Jasper

The News & Observer

919-836-5768

Simone Jasper is a service journalism reporter at The News & Observer in Raleigh, North Carolina.