Scientific Name: Lampropeltis calligaster
Family: Colubridae
Description & Size
- Legless
- No eyelids
- Lacks external ears
- Scales on the back are smooth
- Head has a “V” shaped pattern, where the tip of the “V” points toward the tail
- Single anal scale
- Total length: 76.0-142.7 cm (29.9-56.2 in)
- Back color: light gray, light brown, reddish-brown, olive, and/or dark gray
- May or may not have stripes that are usually wider then they are long that are horizontal to the back
- Belly color: white
Life History
- Diurnal, sometimes nocturnal
- Active season: Late March – late October
- Breeding season: early spring
- Lays eggs
- 8-12 eggs per female
Habitat
- Tallgrass prairie
- Savannas
- Woodland edges
- Sometimes agricultural fields
Diet
- Voles
- Other small mammals
- Bird eggs
- Reptiles
Range Map
Most common range within the last 50 years and does not include outliers. For more info email researchers email.