# Prairie Kingsnake (*Lampropeltis calligaster*) The Prairie Kingsnake is a friendly snake that loves to explore grasslands. It has beautiful patterns that help it blend in with its surroundings, making it a great little hunter! - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 2 - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Prairie Kingsnake](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Prairie_Kingsnake_%28Lampropeltis_calligaster%29_-_Flickr_-_2ndPeter.jpg&width=800) Photo: Peter Paplanus from St. Louis, Missouri, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Prairie_Kingsnake_%28Lampropeltis_calligaster%29_-_Flickr_-_2ndPeter.jpg) ## Appearance The Prairie Kingsnake is a medium-sized snake with a slender body, featuring a tan or light brown base color. It has distinctive dark brown or reddish-brown blotches, often H-shaped, down its back. Its smooth scales and pointed head give it a sleek appearance. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Squamata - **Order:** Serpentes - **Family:** Colubridae - **Genus:** Lampropeltis ## Interesting facts - Prairie Kingsnakes are excellent burrowers, often hiding under logs or rocks. - These harmless snakes are often confused with venomous rattlesnakes by mistake. - They are called "Kingsnakes" because they eat other snakes, even venomous ones! - When threatened, they might shake their tail rapidly to sound like a rattlesnake! ## Special abilities - **Squeeze Power:** Prairie Kingsnake can constrict its prey because it has powerful body muscles that help them capture and overpower their meals. - **Underground Explorer:** Prairie Kingsnake can burrow because of its streamlined body and smooth scales that help them dig into soft soil for shelter. - **Venomous Mimic:** Prairie Kingsnake has a tail-rattling behavior that helps them scare away predators by mimicking venomous rattlesnakes. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 76-122 cm - **Weight:** 0.2-0.5 kg - **Lifespan:** 10-15 years - **Speed:** 5 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 6-20 - **Incubation:** 50-70 days ## Diet & Feeding These kingsnakes are mighty hunters, eating rodents, lizards, and even other snakes! - **Primary Foods:** Mice, Voles, Lizards, Other Snakes, Bird Eggs - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** [deer mouse](https://www.snappit.app/explore/deer-mouse) (*Peromyscus maniculatus*) — A primary small mammal prey item in its habitat. - **Hunts:** meadow vole (*Microtus pennsylvanicus*) — Commonly consumed rodent, helping control their populations. - **Hunts:** common garter snake (*Thamnophis sirtalis*) — One of several snake species that Prairie Kingsnakes prey on. - **Eaten by:** [red-tailed hawk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-tailed-hawk) (*Buteo jamaicensis*) — Young or smaller kingsnakes can fall prey to raptors. ## Traits - [Spotted](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spotted): Marked with spots or patches of a different color. - [Striped](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/striped): Marked with parallel bands or lines of color. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. ## Collections - [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low If you see a snake, it's best to watch from a distance and not touch it. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Prairie Kingsnake? Compare the full body pattern, build, head markings and tail. Color can shift with age and lighting. Rules of thumb about triangular heads or round pupils aren't a reliable way to tell whether a snake is venomous. Snake Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Prairie Kingsnake? 76-122 cm ### How much does Prairie Kingsnake weigh? 0.2-0.5 kg ### How long does Prairie Kingsnake live? 10-15 years ### How fast can Prairie Kingsnake move? 5 km/h ### What does Prairie Kingsnake eat? These kingsnakes are mighty hunters, eating rodents, lizards, and even other snakes! ### Where is Prairie Kingsnake usually found? Grasslands ### How does Prairie Kingsnake hunt? Ambush ## Where to spot - [Buford Mountain Conservation Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/buford-mountain-conservation-area) — Missouri, US · Nature Reserve - [Abraham Lincoln Memorial Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/abraham-lincoln-memorial-garden) — Illinois, US · Botanical Garden - [Henson Robinson Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/henson-robinson-zoo) — Illinois, US · Zoo [View all places to see Prairie Kingsnake](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/prairie-kingsnake) ## More Reptiles - [Pond Slider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pond-slider) (*Trachemys scripta*) - [Western Fence Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-fence-lizard) (*Sceloporus occidentalis*) - [Common Five-lined Skink](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-five-lined-skink) (*Plestiodon fasciatus*) - [Desert Spiny Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/desert-spiny-lizard) (*Sceloporus magister*) --- Source: [Prairie Kingsnake: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/prairie-kingsnake)