In the case of the Black Ratsnake (Pantherophis allegheniensis, a/k/a “Black Snake”), these aren’t snake-eaters. The decline of common kingsnakes (Lampropeltis getula) in Georgia has resulted in a rise in copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix) populations, according to researchers who collected snake survey data to determine changes in population sizes of the two species in southeast Georgia.The copperhead is a common prey item of the kingsnake, which is immune to copperhead and rattlesnake venom. Woman Catches Big Serpent Attacking Deadly Copperhead, Then Explains Why Some Snakes Are Good ... and had always heard that you shouldn’t kill eastern king snakes. ... How to Keep Copperheads Away From Your Home By Lisa Miller Though copperheads are valuable members of their ecosystem, they can sometimes become hazards where they intersect with people. Many people can't stand the sight of a snake.Especially venomous snakes like copperheads, timber rattlesnakes, cottonmouths or water moccasins. If you leave them alone, it will likely return the favor. They're also the most likely to bite, although their venom is … A few large king snakes around the place is always a good thing. The reason the word "King" is in their name is because it refers to the fact that they will eat other snakes. THIS is why you don't kill black snakes. (02/03/2009) By Pat Giles Saw a couple snakes in my back yard. But most folks scream and kill the king snakes on sight. They will kill and eat other snakes, including copperheads. “This is because snakes will pretty much only bite when stepped on or when someone is trying to pick them up or kill them with a shovel, etc. You should value them if they're around your property! The Copperhead was thrashing around violently, biting the King Snake with every head thrust, left-right-left-right, slam, slam, slam. These snakes are normally fairly docile, but will bite defensively when provoked. There would probably be tissue damage at the bite area. The snake bit him right in front of her, and he spent a couple of days in the hospital. I turned to see a snake fight instead. Here are all the places in the United States where it's illegal to kill snakes. The best advise I would have would be to find some kingsnakes that are local to your area and release them at your place. I rushed to get my camera which probably took me about 60 seconds. Especially king snakes, they will kill and eat copperheads and rattlesnakes. In the case of the Kingsnake, they kill the other snake by constriction, just as they would a rodent. Keeping Copperhead Snakes Out of My Yard. The King Snake you killed was probably supposed to eat the rattlesnake that killed you - but you, ignorantly killing a King Snake, effed up the universe, and the universe didn't like it. So did the King Snake! Or, you can do what I do and spread sulfur powder around the perimeter of your yard, snakes will not cross that. They sometimes eat other venomous snakes as well but they aren't necessarily immune to all venomous snakes from different localities. Remember - if you kill a king snake, and then later on you are bitten by a rattlesnake and killed. [6] The "king" in the name (as with the king cobra ) refers to this preying on other snakes. Within a matter of 2-3 seconds, the King snake had coiled itself around the Copperhead. The common kingsnake is known to be immune to the venom of other snakes and does eat rattlesnakes, but it is not necessarily immune to the venom of snakes from different localities. In the case of the Kingsnake, they kill the other snake by constriction, just as they would a rodent. I did nothing. The snakes that can kill are those which has a poison or what do we call venom.Examples of these are King Cobra and Rattle snakes. But rat snake … The common kingsnake is known to be immune to the venom of other snakes and does eat rattlesnakes, but it is not necessarily immune to the venom of snakes from different localities. Then started eating him! The King Snake coiled around the Copperhead (that is bigger than the King Snake)! Copperhead snakes are some of the more commonly seen North American snakes. [6] The "king" in the name (as with the king cobra ) refers to this preying on other snakes. They will kill and eat other snakes, including copperheads. If you can locate a king snake, they're good to keep around your house because they eat all other snakes. I also knock off large rat snakes as the bigger ones once they start going on 6ft long or better will go after chickens as well. ... What to do if you get bitten by a copperhead snake? While I was digging him out, I spotted the Copperhead. Just slowly move backward, away from the snake. Some were so strong they could squeeze twice as hard as was necessary to kill a rodent. Kingsnakes do, indeed, eat other snakes, including venomous ones. Saw some mice droppings and mice in my back yard shed. Copperheads are North American pit vipers common to much of the eastern United States. The best advise I would have would be to find some kingsnakes that are local to your area and release them at your place.