Non-venomous
Where are they from?
There are three species of kingsnakes in Kentucky, though the eastern black kingsnake is the only one found in Madison County.
What do they eat?
They are constrictors, meaning when they catch their prey, instead of biting to kill it, they coil around it and squeeze until it dies. They can do this will small mammals, and even with other snakes like pit vipers.
How do they act?
When threatened, they may move their tail similarly to a rattlesnakes’, and may bite.
Are they endangered?
The eastern black kingsnake has not been assessed for the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species.
Reptile Report
Eastern black kingsnakes seem to be immune to pit viper venom!
Remember, snakes are more afraid of you than you are of them!
Source: http://kysnakes.ca.uky.edu/snake/lampropeltis-getula-nigra