![]() ![]() The prairie kingsnake eats mice and other small mammals, but they have also been known to eat lizards, smaller snakes, amphibians, small birds, and sometimes insects. They typically hunt during the day, but during the peak of summer, they actually become more nocturnal. 6 to 18 eggs are laid, but won’t hatch until August or September. Their mating season is in early spring, after coming out of their winter dormancy. The young are vibrantly spotted, which fades over time. The belly is a cream or yellow color with brown blotches. This elusive snake is usually tan to brownish gray, with brown or rusty blotches down the back. They can grow up to 4 and a half feet in total length. They’re found in scattered locations all throughout the state. The prairie kingsnake is also known as the yellow-bellied kingsnake. Scientific name: Lampropeltis calligaster calligaster Prairie kingsnake Prairie king snake image by Peter Paplanus via Flickr | CC BY 2.0 The 7 types of kingsnakes found in Alabama are the prairie kingsnake, mole kingsnake, eastern kingsnake, black kingsnake, scarlet kingsnake, red milk snake, and the eastern milk snake. Let’s have a quick look at Alabama’s kingsnakes! 7 types of kingsnakes in Alabama If you do come across one though, they’re quite a treat to see as they do not look like other snakes. They’re seldom seen and are rather elusive. Kingsnakes are named as such because they are known to prey on other snakes. Davis & Rice (1883) used Ophibolus doliatus triangulus and Garman (1892) used Ophibolus triangulus.There are many different types of snakes found in the state, but there are only a few different species of kingsnakes in Alabama. Nomenclatural History: Kennicott (1855) used the combination Ophibolis eximus (Harlan, 1827). Original Name: Coluber triangulum Lacapede, 1789. For syspila, Ophibolus doliatus syspila Cope, 1888. Type Locality: Not known. For syspila, “Richland, Illinois” Histoire naturelle des quadrupeds ovipares et des serpens. Red milk snakes may be over-collected for the pet trade at some localities.Įtymology: Lampropeltis – lampros (Greek) meaning bright, brilliant, radiant pelta (Latin) meaning small shield triangulum – triangulus (Latin) meaning ‘having three angles’ syspila – sys (Greek) together and spilos (Greek) spots. Status: Not commonly seen, except perhaps in the Chicago region and portions of the Shawnee Hills, because of its secretive nature. Predators include birds of prey and mammals, but many more probably are killed on roads by vehicles.ĭistribution Notes: Probably occurs statewide, with triangulum in the northern third of the state, syspila in the southern third and an intergrade zone in the middle third. Diet includes small mammals, birds and bird eggs, reptiles and reptile eggs, frogs, and fish. The young hatch in August or early September at 20-25 cm TL. Mates in spring and lays 8-20 eggs in June in rotting logs, tree stumps, or other rotting vegetation. Natural History: Usually found in rotting logs, under bark of stumps, or under logs, rocks, and other surface debris. Habitat: A variety of habitats from rocky, wooded hillsides and glades to old fields and wetlands. syspila has 19-26 red blotches on the back and 4-8 red rings on the tail. triangulum has 33-46 brown blotches on the back alternating with 1-2 rows of spots on the side. Phillipsĭescription: Medium-sized (up to 110 cm TL) snake with variable color pattern. Milksnake, Woodford Co., IL photo by C.A. ![]() Subspecies: Eight subspecies are currently recognized in North America, but only two are known from Illinois, Eastern Milksnake, L. Similar Species: Prairie kingsnake, Great Plains Ratsnake. See the Key to Illinois Snakes for help with identification. ![]() Key Characters: Black-bordered red or brown blotches or rings belly white with sharply contrasting black spots back scales smooth anal plate not divided. ![]()
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