Prairie Kingsnake

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Prairie Kingsnake

Scientific Name

  • The scientific name of Prairie Kingsnake is Lampropeltis calligaster.

Description

  • The colors of this kingsnake are normally light grey or light purple with dark brown or reddish blotches.
  • 2 oblong behind the head and darker blotches on both sides of the body.
  • Prairie kingsnake has fine and smooth scales.
  • Having V shape head.
  • The snake is active from April to October.
  • And nocturnal during the summer season.
  • It is a non-aggressive, calm, and rarely biting snake hence can be well-kept in captivity.
  • As it is a non-venomous snake, it helps farmers in curbing rodent pest populations and venomous snakes.

Distribution

  • Located in western Indiana and Texas.
  • Found also near southern Iowa.

Breeding

  • Mating happens from April to May every year.

Nesting

  • Egg-bearing.
  • They lay 8 to 18 eggs per clutch.
  • Eggs are laid from June to July.
  • Eggs hatch from August to September.

Size

  • Hatchling: 7 to 9 inches long.
  • Adult: Up to 42 inches long.

Life Span

  • They can live up to 15 years or more.

Diet

  • They usually eat rodents, mice, birds, bird eggs, snakes, frogs, lizards, and reptile eggs.
  • As their name implies, as kingsnakes, they eat venomous snakes and are yet immune to the venom.
  • If you have a Prairie Kingsnake as a pet, you need to provide a bowl of clean water in the enclosure.

Habitat

  • They live in open grassland and field with dry soil at the forest edges.
  • However, sometimes they are found in pastures and sand prairies.
  • That is the main reason they are named as Prairie.
  • Their habitat is always near the source of water.