Habitat Description: Prairie kingsnakes are residensts of grassland prairies, old fields, savannah patches, open woodlands, and occassionally cultivated fields (Barbour 1971 , Conant & Collins 1998). A speckled kingsnake can eat snakes as long or longer than they are. The prairie kingsnake, when disturbed, will vibrate the tail rapidly, hiss and strike. Commonly referred to as the Prairie Kingsnake, this species of non-venomous snakes is found primarily in North America. It kills prey by constriction. Typical habitats for prairie kingsnakes range from cultivated fields and pastures, mixed woodlands and open meadows, to rocky ledges and bottom lands.
The Illinois range of this species is one county in southwestern Illinois. Feeds on small mammals, small snakes and lizards, and bird eggs. of Wildlife and Fisheries). They are found in prairies, open grassland, fields, pastures, in ditches along cultivated fields and roads, woodlands, and some stream valleys and blufflands. Range map for the prairie kingsnake in Iowa. The prairie kingsnake is an uncommonly seen snake of open grasslands and woodlands, spending most of its life underground in burrows or under rocks. The Prairie Kingsnake is a constrictor. The snake is a medium sized species that has a rounded head, robust body and a relatively short tail. It may be found hiding under rocks, logs or boards or in small mammal burrows. These snakes utilize a wide variety of habitats. Kingsnake species inhabit the Americas from southeastern Canada to southern Ecuador. Habitat . Common Kingsnake, Lampropeltis getulus. Range map for the speckled kingsnake in Iowa. prairie kingsnake (Lampropeltis calligaster) Photo © Scott Ballard The prairie kingsnake averages 30 to 42 inches in length. of Wildlife and Fisheries). Missouri’s herptiles comprise 43 amphibians and 75 reptiles.
Because of this pattern this species is also referred to as the chain kingsnake. Description: 30 - 42 inches. The overall color is tan, brownish-gray, or greenish-gray. There are 5 different species of Kingsnakes in Louisiana and a similar looking species, the Scarlet Snake. The prairie kingsnake is fairly common over most of the state. Storeria dekayi wrightorum. Fitch (1979) found that of 66 recorded food items, 66% by volume, was Prairie Voles, Microtus ochrogaster. This snake is active in the day during spring and fall but becomes nocturnal in summer. Prairie Kingsnake. An adult speckled kingsnake can range between 35 – 48 inches with a whopping record of 72 inches (6ft.). The photo below was found in Dundee, Harold A. and Douglas A. Rossman's, The Amphibians and Reptiles of Louisiana and shows: A.
These snakes are best known for their ability to eat large snakes, including venomous species such as western massasaugas and prairie rattlesnakes. Lampropeltis holbrooki.
Subspecies There are no subspecies currently recognized. Typical habitats for prairie kingsnakes range from cultivated fields and pastures, mixed woodlands and open meadows, to rocky ledges and bottom lands. Another subspecies ranges east to the east coast. Description It is light brown or grey in color, with dark grey, dark brown, or reddish Prairie Kingsnake - Lampropeltis calligaster *The colored areas of the map above represent parishes with currently known records for the given species (Source: Jeff Boundy, LA Dept. B. Prairie Kingsnake, Lampropeltis calligaster calligaster