Prairie Kingsnake

Lampropeltis calligaster

Reptiles & AmphibiansIn the app

The snake grows an average length range of 30-40 inches. It has smooth scales with light brown or grey pigmentation and blotches colored dark brown or reddish-brown that…

How to identify

The snake grows an average length range of 30-40 inches. It has smooth scales with light brown or grey pigmentation and blotches colored dark brown or reddish-brown that decorate the length of the dorsum. The pattern fades with age and older specimen may not have them at all. Females have relatively shorter tails that taper quickly after the vents. Juveniles display a brown line that runs down their back and two black spots behind the head.

Range

Lampropeltis calligaster has a wide geographic range that covers mainly the midwestern and south central United States.

Habitat

They thrive in open areas like fields, barnyards, prairies, farmland, rocky hillsides, thickets, open woodland, Flatwoods, and pastures. Habitats with dry, loose soil and a permanent source of water. Prairie kingsnakes spend a lot of time underground and are very secretive. They can also be found in residential areas. They feed primarily on rodents, their diet also includes small mammals and other small animals like bird, lizards and other snakes. The breeding period is at the end of spring to early summer and females lay up to 17 eggs. The eggs are laid underground in the summer and hatch in late summer to early fall.

Similar species

Lampropeltis calligaster has a general resemblance with various species of rat snakes of genus Pantherophis. This is because they share habitat and have similar markings. Great Plains Ratsnake (Pantherophis emoryi) is larger with an average length range of 36-40 inches. It has a tan or light gray background coloration and pattern of brown, dark gray, or-green gray blotches that run down its back. There are two lines on each side of the head that meet at a junction between the eyes. The Western Ratsnake (Pantherophis obsoletus) is quite large and grows within a range of 42-72 inches. This rat snake has fine glossy scales with black coloration and white lips, throat, and chin. Corn Snake or Pantherophis guttatus is also larger, capable of reaching a length of 71.64 inches. They have a bright coloration, a slender build, and round pupils. Most specimens have a yellow-orange and red pattern of colors with blotches bordered with black.