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Definition of speckled kingsnake
speckled kingsnake
Plural:speckled kingsnakes
speckled kingsnake Lexical Profile
CEFR
C2
Grade
8
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
North American A non-venomous constrictor snake (Lampropeltis holbrooki) native to the central and southern United States, characterized by a dark background color with prominent yellow or white spots on almost every scale and known for a diet that frequently includes venomous snakes.
Example
"During our hike through the dense Arkansas woodlands, we were thrilled to safely observe a speckled kingsnake hunting for prey in the underbrush."
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
The name derives from its heavily spotted appearance ('speckled') and its classification as a 'kingsnake', a common name given to snakes of the genus Lampropeltis due to their habit of hunting and eating other snakes, including venomous ones.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Speckled kingsnake. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 13, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/speckled kingsnake