Lampropeltis calligaster is a species of kingsnake known commonly as the prairie kingsnake or yellow-bellied kingsnake.[1][2]
Prairie kingsnakes are found mostly in the midwestern and southeastern United States although they can be found in other areas.[1] Their additional range extends west from southeast Nebraska to eastern Texas.
It is light brown or grey in color, with dark grey, dark brown, or reddish-brown blotching down the length of their bodies. They are capable of growing to lengths of 76–102 cm (30–40 in). They are easily mistaken for various species of rat snake of the genus Pantherophis, which share habitat, and can have similar markings. Some specimens have their markings faded, to appear almost a solid brown color. Juveniles usually have a brown stripe down the back of their bodies. They have two black spots behind the head and smaller black spots down the back on both sides of the stripe.
Prairie kingsnakes' preferred habitat is open grassland with loose, dry soil, typically on the edge of a forested region, not far from a permanent source of water. Their diet consists primarily of rodents, but they will also consume lizards, frogs and occasionally other snakes. They are nonvenomous, and typically docile. Like most colubrids, if harassed they will shake their tail, which if in dry leaf litter can sound remarkably like a rattlesnake. They are not typically prone to biting, and if handled will often excrete a foul-smelling musk. When threatened, they flatten and appear to have white spots.
They are often found in abandoned structures, underneath logs, debris, and inside of tree trunks. They are typically unseen by people not searching for them due to their secretive nature. The mole kingsnake is fossorial as their name would suggest. However, when they are found aboveground they are found in open areas such as fields, cultivated lands, thickets, and edge habitats.[3]
Elements of the mole kingsnake's reproduction corresponds, in part, to the general colubrid mating pattern. Egg laying has been reported in June through July, with clutch sizes ranging from 6 - 17 eggs.[4]
Lampropeltis calligaster is a species of kingsnake known commonly as the prairie kingsnake or yellow-bellied kingsnake.
Lampropeltis calligaster Lampropeltis generoko animalia da. Narrastien barruko Colubridae familian sailkatuta dago.
Lampropeltis calligaster Lampropeltis generoko animalia da. Narrastien barruko Colubridae familian sailkatuta dago.
Lampropeltis calligaster est une espèce de serpent de la famille des Colubridae[1].
Cette espèce est endémique des États-Unis[1].
Dans sa description[2] Harlan indique que le plus grand spécimen en sa possession mesure environ 130 cm. Son dos est brunâtre et présente des taches noires formant trois rayures longitudinales, celle du centre étant large et les deux sur les côtés étant plus fines. Sa face ventrale est jaune orangé. Sa queue est cornée à son extrémité.
Selon Reptarium Reptile Database (17 février 2014)[3] :
Lampropeltis calligaster est une espèce de serpent de la famille des Colubridae.
Lampropeltis calligaster là một loài rắn trong họ Rắn nước. Loài này được Harlan mô tả khoa học đầu tiên năm 1827.[1]
Bài viết liên quan phân họ rắn Colubrinae này vẫn còn sơ khai. Bạn có thể giúp Wikipedia bằng cách mở rộng nội dung để bài được hoàn chỉnh hơn. Lampropeltis calligaster là một loài rắn trong họ Rắn nước. Loài này được Harlan mô tả khoa học đầu tiên năm 1827.
