Patient of the Week: Eastern Kingsnake #25-0628

On April 8, the Wildlife Center of Virginia admitted an Eastern Kingsnake — a species the Center hasn’t treated in more than 10 years. The juvenile snake was found entangled in landscape netting in Henrico, Virginia. Rescuers managed to free it but noted several wounds, prompting them to bring the snake to the Center for treatment.

Eastern Kingsnakes are non-venomous and can grow to be more than six feet in length. Known for their striking black-and-white pattern, they inhabit a wide variety of environments, including forests, fields, swamps and marshes. These snakes are especially notable for their diet, which includes other snakes—even venomous species—thanks to their resistance to snake venom.

Upon admission, the veterinary team examined the snake and found several patches of missing scales. The most serious injury was a large degloving wound (when the skin and underlying tissue is torn away from the body) on the underside of its body. The team cleaned and bandaged the wound and administered supportive fluids, anti-inflammatories, antibiotics, and pain medication to aid in the snake's recovery.

“Luckily, the snake’s wounds appeared to be relatively recent, and there were no signs of infection,” said Dr. Natalie, one of the Center’s veterinary interns. “If it had been trapped longer, the injuries could have been much more difficult to treat.” 

The veterinary team performed surgery the following day to close the wound. The procedure went smoothly, and the snake has remained bright, alert, and responsive. Veterinary staff will continue to closely monitor its condition throughout the recovery process. If all goes well, it will be returned to its home in Henrico County later this spring.

Entrapment in landscape netting is, unfortunately, a common issue for snakes and many other wildlife species. Once an animal begins to struggle, it often becomes even more entangled, leading to further constriction and injury. Without timely rescue, this can result in prolonged suffering and eventually, death.

As spring gardening and landscaping begins, Center staff advise exercising caution when using landscape netting. If you opt to use it, choose netting with a dense weave to reduce the risk of wildlife entrapment, and check the netting at least once a day. If an animal becomes entangled, act quickly to free it and contact a permitted wildlife rehabilitator if necessary.