For more information
on other animals found at Cub Creek Science Camp visit our
animal page.
Prairie Kingsnake
Lampropeltis calligaster calligaster
The Prairie Kingsnake is one of the
seven constrictors that we have in the state of Missouri.
They are from the family Colubridae,
non-venomous snakes. They range through
Illinois Missouri, Louisiana, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma and
Texas. Prairie Kingsnakes are found in prairies, open
woods and rocky hillsides.
They have a coloration similar to a
copperhead and are sometimes confused with this venomous
snake. The Prairie Kingsnake's dark markings are
circular along the back whereas the Copperhead's are
hourglass.
The Prairie Kingsnake is immune to the
venom of the Copperhead, Cottonmouth, and rattlesnake and so
is able to eat these snakes along with lizards, small
mammals and sometimes birds.
