McMartinVille--Reptiles

 
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Prairie Kingsnake

Order:  Squamata (scaled reptiles)
Suborder:  Serpentes (snakes)
Family:  Colubridae ("typical" snakes)
Subfamily:  Colubrinae ("typical" snakes)
Genus:  Lampropeltis (kings and milksnakes)

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"

Length:  Up to 4.5 feet.
Food:  Rodents, birds, frogs, lizards, and other snakes. Prairie Kingsnake Range

Erik and I found this snake on 22 March 2003 in a vacant lot in San Antonio.  Actually, Erik spotted it.  It was retreating into a pile of discarded shingles.

Prairie Kingsnake
This individual was only about 18-24 inches long.  Prairie kingsnakes can easily reach twice that length.

See also the prairie kings found in Arkansas.

Prairie Kingsnake