Description:
Scientific name: Lampropeltis calligaster
Life span: 24 years
It has blotches of dark gray, dark brown, or reddish-brown color running the length of its body, and is generally light brown or gray in color. They can reach lengths of between 76 and 102 cm (30–40 in). They can have markings that are similar to those of several species of rat snakes in the genus Pantherophis, which share the same habitat. Some specimens have markings that are so faded they are virtually completely brown in hue. A brown stripe typically runs down the back of juveniles. They have two black spots behind the head, two smaller black dots on either side of the stripe, and one larger mark along the back.
Native Region/Habitat
Although they can be found elsewhere, prairie kingsnakes are primarily found in the midwestern and southeastern parts of the United States. From southeast Nebraska to eastern Texas, their expanded range continues to the west. They are frequently discovered inside tree trunks, beneath logs, rubble, and abandoned buildings. They are often invisible to anyone who are not looking for them due to their evasiveness. As their name implies, mole kingsnakes are fossorial. Nonetheless, they are found in open spaces like fields, cultivated lands, thickets, and edge habitats when they are discovered aboveground.
Behavior:
King snakes of the prairie are nocturnal. April through the middle of October is when they are active each year. They frequently live alone and spend the most of their time hiding behind rocks or leaf litter. They spend the months of November through March hibernating underground or in animal burrows. The ideal habitat for prairie kingsnakes is an open area of grassland with loose, dry soil, generally on the outskirts of a wooded area and not far from a reliable source of water. Their main food source is rodents, but they may occasionally eat other snakes, lizards, and frogs. They are normally gentle and non-venomous. Like the majority of colubrids, they will shake their tail when threatened, which, when heard in dry leaf litter, can sound disturbingly like a rattlesnake. They don’t normally bite, and when handled, they frequently expel a vile scent. They flatten and appear to have white patches when threatened.
Care As a pet/In captivity:
Enclosure: Make sure the vivarium has some vertical room for the enclosure. The vivarium should be high enough to include a climbing place because these snakes will climb. A 10- or 20-gallon tank can be used to hold young prairie kingsnakes; as they get bigger, they should be moved to a larger enclosure.
Temperature: The chilly area should be between 70°F and 75°F, while the basking area should be between 84°F and 88°F. To simulate the transition from daylight to darkness, turn off all light sources at night. When the light source is turned off, the enclosure’s temperature shouldn’t go below 64°F. If necessary, include a heat source without light, such as a heating pad with a thermostat.
Feeding: A captive snake’s diet consists of defrosted mice. Mice should be slightly larger than the snake’s girth in size. Every 10 to 14 days, adult prairie kingsnakes must consume an adult mouse. Young animals need to eat every five to six days. Pinky mice should be introduced to hatchlings first, followed by hopper mice progressively. Avoid handling live mice because they can hurt or scratch prairie kingsnakes.
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