Black King Snake vs. Copperhead vs. Rattlesnake 


Snakes can be as terrifying as they are beautiful, and being able to tell species apart is a crucial way to keep yourself safe when you encounter one of these reptiles. 

Mexican Black Kingsnakes are non-venomous constrictors as opposed to Copperheads and Rattlesnakes, which are venomous snakes that rely on ambushes to kill their prey. The Mexican Black Kingsnake also has fewer color variations and entirely black eyes and is a species frequently kept as pets.

This article will cover the similarities and differences between these three species – the Mexican Black Kingsnake, Copperheads, and Rattlesnakes. 

Key Differences Between Mexican Black Kingsnakes, Copperheads, and Rattlesnakes

Mexican Black Kingsnakes, Copperheads, and Rattlesnakes are all unique species with many differences between them, though that’s not to say that they don’t share aspects as well. The table below covers some basic differences and similarities between this trio of snakes.

Mexican Black KingsnakesCopperheadsRattlesnakes
Physical AppearanceRound head, small, all-black eyes, slender bodyTriangular head, slit pupils, facial pits, thick body, fangsTriangular head, slit pupils, visible ‘neck,’ tail rattle
Coloration and PatternDark brown/ black scales with an iridescent shine; yellow spots on underside when youngCopper head, oranges, browns, reddish, tan; pattern depends on species (splotches, hourglass, none, etc.)Browns, blacks, grays, yellows; diamonds, splotches, etc. (can have stripes but not typical)
Length3-4 ft (0.9-1.2 m)2-5 ft (0.6-1.5m)2-7 ft (0.6-2.1 m)(varies by species)
HabitatN. America (Sonoran Desert, Arizona); desert areas with lots of vegetationN. America (central and eastern); rocky hillsides, forests, swamps, etc.N. America (southwest, Mexico), Central American, S. America; dry deserts, grasslands, swamps, etc.
DietRodents, birds, lizards, eggs, rattlesnakes, etc.Rodents, birds, insects, etc.Rodents, insects, lizards, etc. 
Method of AttackConstriction; no venomVenom; ambushVenom; ambush
Defensive ActionsBite, muskBite, flee, vibrate tail, camouflageBite, rattle tail, camouflage
Other Distinguishing Characteristics Popular pet species, docile temperament, resistant to rattlesnake venom, diurnalNot aggressive, live birth, young have a yellow-tipped tail to lure preyLive birth, gain a new rattle on tail each time they shed

Next, let’s look at each category of the table in more detail for this trio of fascinating reptiles. 

Physical Appearance

Like many, though not all, venomous snakes, Rattlesnakes and Copperheads both have a more ‘triangular’ head than the non-venomous Black Kingsnake. Of the three species, Copperheads have thicker bodies. In addition, the two venomous snakes have slit pupils, compared to the Black Kingsnake’s small, entirely black eyes.  

Coloration and Pattern

Each of the three snakes covered in this article have color and pattern variations based on what subspecies you are looking at, but overall, they are different than each other’s. Copperheads are oranges, tans, or reddish, along with their name-sake copper-colored heads.

Some Copperheads might have a pattern, such as splotches or hourglasses-like shapes, while others are a more solid color. 

Rattlesnakes have the widest color range of the three, which fits with their more extensive and varied habitats. They can be blacks, browns, grays, and yellows and have a variety of patterns, from splotches to diamond shapes. Stripe patterns, however, are rare in Rattlesnakes. 

Finally, an adult Mexican Black Kingsnake is a glossy black or dark brown, with scales that take on an iridescent shine in the light. This species’ beautiful scales are one reason it’s such a popular pet.

When young, Mexican Black Kingsnakes have yellow spots on their undersides, and some other species of Black Kingsnakes have yellow spots or bands, even as adults. 

Length

Mexican Black Kingsnakes and Copperheads have similar length ranges at 3-4 ft (0.9-1.2m) and 2-5ft (0.6-1.5m). In comparison, Rattlesnakes can be much smaller at 2ft (0.6m) or longer at 7ft (2.1m), depending on the species. 

Habitat

All three snakes in this article can be found in North America, with some overlap between their ranges. The Mexican Black Kingsnake is the most restricted of the three, only located in the Sonoran Desert and Arizona.

Despite living in the desert, a place usually associated with a lack of greenery, this species of Black Kingsnakes prefers areas with lots of vegetation, not an open, sandy area. 

Copperheads, which can be found in the central and eastern parts of the United States, are not desert creatures. Instead, they lurk in habitats such as forests and swamps.

Finally, Rattlesnakes have the largest habitat range. They live not only in the southwest of the United States but also in Mexico, Central America, and South America.

And in those areas, these snakes live in a wide variety of homes, such as deserts and forests, like the Mexican Black Kingsnake and Copperhead, respectively. In addition, they can also live in grasslands, swamps, and other places, depending on the species.  

Diet

Like many other serpentine reptiles, Mexican Black Kingsnakes, Copperheads, and Rattlesnakes eat rodents, insects, and smaller reptiles like lizards. Copperheads can also hunt birds, but it’s in this category of diet where the Kingsnake sets itself apart. 

Due to their overlapping ranges, Mexican Black Kingsnakes may run into Rattlesnakes. You might assume that the species with venom would win in a fight, but it’s the Black Kingsnakes that come out on top. In fact, it’s because they will eat other snakes that Kingsnakes are called Kingsnakes. 

How could a constrictor beat a venomous rattlesnake? Well, it turns out that Kingsnakes aren’t affected by the venom of other North American snakes. To learn more, check out this page on the Life is Short, but Snakes are Long blog, though do be advised that images include snakes feasting on other snakes. 

Method of Attack

Mexican Black Kingsnakes are not venomous and kill their prey via constriction before swallowing it whole. Copperheads and Rattlesnakes both rely on their venom to kill their ambush targets. Out of the two, Copperhead’s venom is not very potent to humans, but you should still seek medical care as soon as possible if you’re bitten. 

Whether you’re bitten by a Copperhead, Rattlesnake, or another type of venomous snake, this page on the CDC’s website covers how to respond. It includes a list of possible side effects from a snake bite, such as:

  • Nausea
  • Breathing or vision problems
  • Numbness or tingling 

And here are a few points about what not do to if someone has been bitten:

  • Don’t try to suck the venom out
  • Don’t apply ice or attempt to make a tourniquet 
  • Don’t submerge the wound in water
  • Don’t drink anything with alcohol or caffeine

The most important thing to remember when dealing with a snake bite is to remain calm and get professional medical attention as soon as possible.

Defensive Actions 

Aside from a straight-up bite, snakes have various ways to deter predators, including humans. Mexican Black Kingsnakes will release a horrible-smelling substance known as musk when scared. 

Copperheads, like many reptiles, aren’t naturally aggressive and will try to flee if their camouflage fails them. They may also vibrate their tail in warning. Rattlesnakes have their name-sake tail rattle. These snakes may also rise into a coil position to strike out if needed. 

Other Distinguishing Characteristics

There’s always more to learn about every species, including the trio of snakes covered here. Let’s take one last look at each and discuss a few more things that set them apart. 

Starting with Mexican Black Kingsnakes, they tend to be more diurnal – active during the day – compared to Copperheads and Rattlesnakes, both of which hunt more at dawn and dusk. Their venom resistance, as mentioned above, is due to antibodies in their blood and extends to Copperheads and Cottonmouths. This popular snake pet is also known for having a docile temperament, being relatively easy to care for, and can live 20 to 30 years in captivity. 

Copperheads, living to around 18 years, have multiple physical characteristics that set them apart. They have facial pits like other venomous snakes for detecting heat to help with hunting. A young Copperhead will have a yellowish-tipped tail that it uses to lure prey as opposed to the ambush-style adults use, and their fangs grow in proportion to their body. 

As mentioned previously in the ‘habitat’ section, Rattlesnakes can be found in many areas. While most people know that snakes lay eggs, this group, like Copperheads, are among the snakes that give live birth. The rattle on their tails gets longer as they grow since a new rattle is added each time a Rattle snake sheds. 

If you want to learn more about North American reptiles, consider looking into a pocket field guide, like this 2015 one by National Geographic, available on Amazon. Or, if you want a more snake-specific book, there’s the ‘Snake: The Essential Visual Guide from 2016, also on Amazon. Both books contain a wealth of information and beautiful photos, perfect for anyone curious about these wonderful animals. 

Conclusion

Mexican Black Kingsnakes are a popular pet snake species known for their gorgeous black scales. They are non-venomous constrictors resistant to the venom of other snakes in North America. 

Copperheads and Rattlesnakes are both venomous species that use ambushes for hunting, though Copperhead venom is much less toxic to humans. Of course, you should seek medical attention after any venomous snake bite, and knowing about the local snakes in your area – Kingsnakes, Copperheads, Rattlesnakes, or others- is the first way to protect both yourself and these amazing reptiles.

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