The common kingsnake is dark brown or black with variable white or yellow patches on the underside and back. It is from 3 to 7 feet long and is found in a wide range of habitats from dry areas to swamps. It will eat small mammals, birds, lizards and other snakes, and kills its prey by constriction. The kingsnake is beneficial in that it kills poisonous snakes, being unaffected by their venom.

This snake can be seen during the day, especially morning and evening, but becomes more nocturnal as the weather gets hotter. It lives mainly on the ground, although it is capable of climbing trees.

A kingsnake has been seen a number of times on the periphery of the wetlands, and was once seen circling a tree containing a nest of young birds. The snake illustrated was about six feet long.