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Prairie Kingsnake
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- Order: Squamata (scaled reptiles)
- Suborder: Serpentes (snakes)
- Family: Colubridae ("typical" snakes)
- Subfamily: Colubrinae ("typical"
snakes)
- Genus: Lampropeltis (kings and
milksnakes)
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Scientific Name: Lampropeltis
calligaster (Harlan, 1827) |
| Habitat: Fields and
other open areas with sufficient cover, often near human
habitation (farms). Can also be found in wooded areas. |
Lampro="shiny," pelta="shield"
(scales), kallos="beauty," gaster="belly"
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| Length: Up to 4.5
feet. |
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| Food: Rodents, birds,
frogs, lizards, and other snakes. |
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These two snakes were found under tin in
southwestern Arkansas in October 2004. The smaller of the
two (right) had blotches down its back which were brick red, much
like the "mole kings" found in the Southeast. |
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| The second picture is a close-up
of the head of the larger king (around 3 feet long). |
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See also the prairie kingsnake from Texas. |
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