# Lampropeltis calligaster

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Lampropeltis_calligaster
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Lampropeltis_calligaster.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lampropeltis_calligaster
> Source revision: 1329377075
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

Species of snake

Lampropeltis calligaster Conservation status Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)[1] Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Reptilia Order: Squamata Suborder: Serpentes Family: Colubridae Genus: Lampropeltis Species: L. calligaster Binomial name Lampropeltis calligaster (Harlan, 1827) Synonyms Coluber calligaster Harlan, 1827 Ablabes triangulum var. calligaster Hallowell, 1856 Ophibolus calligaster Cope, 1900

***Lampropeltis calligaster*** is a [species](/source/Species) of [kingsnake](/source/Kingsnake) known commonly as the **prairie kingsnake** or **yellow-bellied kingsnake**.

## Geographic range

Prairie kingsnakes are found across 13 states in the [midwestern](/source/Midwestern_United_States) and [southern United States](/source/Southern_United_States).[2]

## Description

Prairie kingsnakes are light brown or grey-brown in color, with dark reddish-brown blotching down the [dorsal](/source/Anatomical_terms_of_location#Dorsal_and_ventral) length of their bodies. Their [ventral](/source/Anatomical_terms_of_location#Dorsal_and_ventral) side is pale or yellowish. They are capable of growing to lengths of 76–110 cm (30–43 in), with males longer and heavier on average than females.[3] They are easily mistaken for some species of [colubrid](/source/Colubridae) snakes of the [genus](/source/Genus) *[Pantherophis](/source/Pantherophis)*, which can have similar markings. Dorsal marking may fade with age. The [mole kingsnake](/source/Lampropeltis_rhombomaculata) (*Lampropeltis rhombomaculata*) and the [South Florida mole kingsnake](/source/Lampropeltis_occipitolineata) (*Lampropeltis occipitolineata*) were previously considered subspecies, but DNA analysis found them to be distinct species.[4]

## Etymology

The generic name, *Lampropeltis*, is derived from Greek *Lampro*s, meaning "shiny", and *pelta*, meaning "shield", likely in reference to the genus' smooth and shiny dorsal scales. The specific name, *calligaster*, is derived from Greek *Kallos*, for "beauty", and *gaster*, for "belly".[5]

## Diet

Fitch (1978)[3] found that prairie voles were most commonly consumed, but prairie kingsnakes also ate other small mammals, reptiles, and northern bobwhite eggs. Prairie kingsnakes are nonvenomous constrictors, so they coil around their prey and suffocate it until dead.

## Behavior

Eating a [western ratsnake](/source/Pantherophis_obsoletus)

They are typically docile. Like most colubrids, if harassed they will shake their tail, which, if in dry [leaf litter](/source/Leaf_litter), can sound like a [rattlesnake](/source/Rattlesnake). They are not typically prone to biting and may excrete a foul-smelling [musk](/source/Musk) if handled. In central Illinois, they emerge from hibernation in late March and enter hibernation mid-October.[6] Females maintain an average body temperature nearly two degrees [Celsius](/source/Celsius) higher than males, which may help females grow faster, reach earlier reproductive maturity, or develop larger clutch sizes.[7] When aboveground, prairie kingsnakes can maintain an average body temperature that is similar regardless of whether they are exposed or under cover, indicating that they can [thermoregulate](/source/Thermoregulation) under cover while being concealed from predators.[7]

Richardson et al. (2006)[6] radio-tracked prairie kingsnakes in Illinois and found that they were usually underground during the day, so they are probably mostly [nocturnal](/source/Nocturnality). Richardson et al. (2006) also found that [home ranges](/source/Home_range) of male prairie kingsnakes averaged over four times larger than those of females, home ranges often included the individual's hibernation site, and home ranges were the same from one year to the next. Males and females move with the same frequency and travel equivalent distances per move.[6] Prairie kingsnakes may use road embankments, rock ledges, and mammal burrows in grasslands that are indistinguishable from those used throughout their active period to individually hibernate.[3][6][8]

## Habitat

Prairie kingsnakes primarily use [prairie](/source/Prairie), [pasture](/source/Pasture), and [shrublands](/source/Shrubland), less often use forests, and appear to never use croplands or cross roads, which may fragment their habitat and be barriers to movement.[3][4][6] They will also use edges between grasslands and roads or forests, especially females that may use warmer road edges to help with egg production.[6]

## Reproduction

Many adult females do not breed within a given year.[3][9] Egg laying has been reported in June through July, with clutch sizes averaging 10 eggs that hatch in late August or September.[3] Prairie kingsnakes often double in length during their first year of life and reach [sexual maturity](/source/Sexual_maturity) after two to three years.[3]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-iucn_status_18_November_2021_1-0)** Hammerson, G.A. (2007). ["*Lampropeltis calligaster*"](https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/63826/12719786). *[IUCN Red List of Threatened Species](/source/IUCN_Red_List)*. **2007** e.T63826A12719786. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.2305/IUCN.UK.2007.RLTS.T63826A12719786.en](https://doi.org/10.2305%2FIUCN.UK.2007.RLTS.T63826A12719786.en). Retrieved 18 November 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Lazaro, Enrico de (2016-10-11). ["Yellow-Bellied Kingsnake is Actually Three Separate Species | Sci.News"](https://www.sci.news/biology/yellow-bellied-kingsnake-three-species-04265.html). *Sci.News: Breaking Science News*. Retrieved 2025-03-19.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:0_3-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-:0_3-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-:0_3-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-:0_3-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-:0_3-6) Fitch, Henry S. (1978). "A Field Study of the Prairie Kingsnake (Lampropeltis calligaster)". *Transactions of the Kansas Academy of Science*. **81** (4): 353–363. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.2307/3627386](https://doi.org/10.2307%2F3627386). [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0022-8443](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0022-8443). [JSTOR](/source/JSTOR_(identifier)) [3627386](https://www.jstor.org/stable/3627386).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:1_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:1_4-1) McKelvy, A. D.; Burbrink, F. T. (2017-01-01). ["Ecological divergence in the yellow-bellied kingsnake (Lampropeltis calligaster) at two North American biodiversity hotspots"](https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1055790316302317). *Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution*. **106**: 61–72. [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[2017MolPE.106...61M](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2017MolPE.106...61M). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1016/j.ympev.2016.09.006](https://doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.ympev.2016.09.006). [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [1055-7903](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/1055-7903). [PMID](/source/PMID_(identifier)) [27637990](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27637990).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Blaney, Richard (1979). "Lampropeltis calligaster (Harlan) Prairie kingsnake". *Catalogue of American Amphibians and Reptiles*. **229**: 1–2.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:2_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:2_6-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:2_6-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-:2_6-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-:2_6-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-:2_6-5) Richardson, Matthew L.; Weatherhead, Patrick J.; Brawn, Jeffrey D. (December 2006). ["Habitat Use and Activity of Prairie Kingsnakes (Lampropeltis Calligaster Calligaster) in Illinois"](http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1670/0022-1511%282006%2940%5B423%3AHUAAOP%5D2.0.CO%3B2). *Journal of Herpetology*. **40** (4): 423–428. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1670/0022-1511(2006)40\[423:HUAAOP\]2.0.CO;2](https://doi.org/10.1670%2F0022-1511%282006%2940%5B423%3AHUAAOP%5D2.0.CO%3B2). [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0022-1511](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0022-1511).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:3_7-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:3_7-1) Richardson, Matthew (2010). "Lampropeltis calligaster (prairie kingsnake). Thermal ecology". *Herpetological Review*. **41** (3): 365–366.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Smith, Philip Wayne (1961-11-30). ["The Amphibians and Reptiles of Illinois"](https://iopn.library.illinois.edu/journals/inhs/article/view/167). *Illinois Natural History Survey Bulletin*. **28** (1–3): 1–298. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.21900/j.inhs.v28.167](https://doi.org/10.21900%2Fj.inhs.v28.167). [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [2644-0687](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/2644-0687).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Fitch, Henry Sheldon (2000). [*Population structure and biomass of some common snakes in Central North America / by Henry S. Fitch*](http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/bibliography/16291). Lawrence, Kan.: Natural History Museum, University of Kansas. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.5962/bhl.title.16291](https://doi.org/10.5962%2Fbhl.title.16291).

- [Prairie Kingsnake](https://www.iowaherps.com/species/lampropeltis_calligaster), Reptiles and Amphibians of Iowa

Taxon identifiers Lampropeltis calligaster Wikidata: Q2715409 Wikispecies: Lampropeltis calligaster CoL: 3S4VG EoL: 792683 GBIF: 5224464 iNaturalist: 29823 IRMNG: 10366252 ITIS: 174185 IUCN: 63826 NatureServe: 2.106075 NCBI: 163491 Observation.org: 100245 Open Tree of Life: 300629 Paleobiology Database: 53102 RD: calligaster

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Lampropeltis calligaster](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lampropeltis_calligaster) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lampropeltis_calligaster?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.