PrairieKingSnake

Prairie Kingsnake NONVENOMOUS

Scientific Name: Lampropeltis calligaster
Family: Colubridae
Return to Snake Identification

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

Habitat


  • Tallgrass prairie
  • Savannas
  • Woodland edges
  • Sometimes agricultural fields

Diet


  • Voles
  • Other small mammals
  • Bird eggs
  • Reptiles

Life History


  • Diurnal, sometimes nocturnal
  • Active season: Late March – late October
  • Breeding season: early spring
  • Lays eggs
  • 8-12 eggs per female
PrairieKingSnake range