Names: Bastard horn snake, Black kingsnake, Common chainsnake, Common kingsnake, Cow sucker, Horse racer, Master snake, Oakleaf rattler, thunder-and-lightning snake, thunderbolt, thunder snake, wamper, wampum snake.

Average length: 36-48 in.

Juveniles: Patterned as adults. They have thin crossbars and irregular spotting. The division of the crossbars are usually not present, nor are the patches.

Habitats: Occur in a wide variety of habitats, including hardwood forests, mixed pine-hardwood forest, pine forest, abandoned fields, upland portions of swamps, and adjacent freshwater marshes, as well as along creeks and streams in agricultural and urban areas.