[4] Its range overlaps that of the desert kingsnake, Lampropeltis splendida, and it is known to intergrade with that species.

[citation needed] The diet of the speckled kingsnake consists of birds, rodents and other mammals, frogs, lizards, and other snakes.

[5] When threatened, the speckled kingsnake shakes its tail like a rattlesnake to deter predators.

[citation needed] The speckled kingsnake was first described by American herpetologist John Edwards Holbrook in 1842.

[6][7] It was for many years considered a subspecies of L. getula, but has been elevated to full species status as L.

[2] A fight between two male speckled kingsnakes is very common to assert dominance.

The main reason for doing this is to assert one's territory, so the other male will not come close to their land.