Speckled kingsnake (juvenile)

Description:

This species is black with yellow spots. The scales are smooth. Perfectly patterned adults will have a single yellow dot on each dorsal body scale. The belly is checkered boldly with black and bright yellow blocks. With just a quick glance, this species can sometimes appear green (the dark blue-black of the background combined with the yellow spots: yellow and blue makes green!). (information from herpsofarkansas.com)

Habitat:

Deciduous forest

Notes:

This little dude pulled out all the stops - tail buzzing, excreting uric acid, feces, and even a little bit of blood, hiding its head, and eventually a slight bit of striking. I made the photo shoot as quick as possible to get it back under its rock.