Prairie kingsnake (Lampropeltis Calligaster) is an average-sized, non-venomous, tan snake with dark dorsal spots. It can be found in the Southeastern US.
Prairie kingsnakes prefer to spend their time in open grassy areas or forests. They are close to water bodies like lakes and creeks.
The prairie kingsnakes of captive-bred are peaceful and hardy. If the right enclosure conditions are met, they are very easy to care for.
Prairie Kingsnake Overview
| Category | Rating |
| Common names: | Yellow-bellied kingsnake, prairie kingsnake |
| Scientific Name: | Lampropeltis calligaster |
| Natural Habitat | Wooded areas and grassy areas near water sources |
| Adult Size: | 2 – 3 ft |
| Average Lifespan | 15 years |
| Diet: | Carnivore |
| Housing: | Large vivarium with hiding spots and branches for climbing thermogradient. Moderate humidity |
| Niveau of experience: | For Beginners |
Origin
North America is home to the prairie kingsnake (Lampropeltis Calligaster). It is native to the United States in the Midwestern and Southeastern regions, including Virginia, Texas, Florida and Nebraska. The species is not considered endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature ( IUCN). Their wild population is believed to be stable and greater than 100,000.
Prairie kingsnakes are at home in grassy, open areas that are near water bodies like rivers, creeks, or lakes. They are also able to thrive in sandy beaches and woodlands that have plenty of driftwood.
Prairies are tolerant of dry, loose substrates and rarely venture to the surface. They spend their time in animal burrows. These snakes spend the winter in brumation.
Lampropeltis is the Greek name for the genus of prairie kingsnakes. Lampropeltis is Latin for “shiny shield”. This name refers to the snake’s shiny and smooth scales.
Prairie kingsnakes are resistant to certain venomous snakes, such as copperheads and cottonmouths. They prey on snakes and are the reason they have their common name “kingsnake.”
Appearance & Behavior
Prairie kingsnakes, medium-sized snakes, have a brownish-gray or tan color. The most distinctive feature of the Prairie kingsnakes is their dark dorsal spots. These blotches cover their entire body. These blotches are circular and can be either gray, brown or red. Each blotch is surrounded by a narrow, black border.
Prairie kingsnakes are known for their smooth, shiny scales and U- or V-shaped markings on their heads. Their venter (belly), is a yellow-tan color, with brown checkered marks.
This snake has a dark stripe running from their jaw to their eye. They only have one anal plate.
Juvenile prairies are less dense than adult prairies, and their patterns are more distinct. Older prairies may develop stripes that run down their backs. The prairie kingsnakes males are larger than the females and have longer tails. There are many color options, but the most popular is the hypo albino prairie queensnake.
See more: Mexican Black Kingsnake, California Kingsnake, Eastern Kingsnake,
Lifespan
Captive prairie kingsnakes live an average of 15 years and can grow to be up to 42 inches in length. The average male adult has a length from the vent to the snout of 34 inches, and weighs 216g. Adult females measure 32 inches in length and weigh 175g. If given the right care, these snakes can live for up to 20 years.
Temperament
Prairie kingsnakes can be quiet and docile. Although they are not aggressive or biteable, they can be territorial when breeding. Once they gain confidence, prairies are more curious.
Prairie kingsnakes are known to flatten their bodies and show white spots when they feel scared or stressed. Although they are calm when handled properly, it may take some time for them to become used to humans.
These snakes rarely become active from the surface. They spend approximately 75% time in burrows, under debris, leaf litter, or rocks. They only interact with each other during breeding. They need to be kept in an isolated vivarium. Prairies can be averse to smaller snakes and cannibalism is a common occurrence.
The colubridae Family includes prairie kingsnakes. Common colubrid behaviors include:
- Restricting prey
- If they feel harassed or threatened, shake their tail.
- To warn predators, excreting Musk
- Egg-laying
Housing Prairie Kingsnakes
Prairie kingsnakes are at home in areas that have a constant water source. They are attracted to loose, soft substrates and prefer to remain underground for the majority of their lives.
Prairies will feel secure and safe in enclosures that are a replica of their natural habitat. These snakes will be happy in a large vivarium with plenty of hiding places. Tanks with secure, fitted lids are also recommended. These snakes love burrowing and should have a substrate that is only a few inches in depth.
Enclosure Size
Prairie kingsnakes require a vivarium with at least 34 inches of length. This will allow the snake enough space to move freely. The enclosure should be at most a third the length of the prairie kingsnake.
You should ensure that the vivarium has enough vertical space. These sakes can climb so make sure the vivarium is high enough to allow for climbing. You can keep young prairie kingsnakes in a 10- or 20-gallon tank, but they should be moved to a bigger setup as they get older.
See more: https://thereptilebay.com/florida-king-snake-care-guide/
Lighting
Constant lighting can stress prairie kingsnakes. Keep to lighting patterns that mimic a natural day-to-night cycle (8-12 hours depending on the season).
A photo gradient is necessary for snake keepers. In the vivarium, create a light and shade area. The heat source should be placed near the light source so that the cool area is not overlooked.
Prairie kingsnakes spend the majority of their time underground. Their immune system will be boosted by low-intensity ultraviolet lighting. The benefits of UVB lighting for snakes is still being studied.
Humidity and Temperature
The basking temperature should be between 84degF and 88degF. The cool zone should be 70degF-75degF. To replicate day-to night conditions, turn off lights at night. When the light source is turned off, the enclosure temperature should not drop below 64 degrees F. You can use a heat source with thermostat control, such as a heating pad, that does not emit light.
To prevent injuries and burns, ensure heat-generating light sources are protected.
Prairie kingsnakes can be described as ectothermic. To regulate their body heat, they use the environment outside. Prairie kingsnakes can regulate their body heat by setting up a thermogradient within the vivarium. This allows them to have both hot and cool zones.
To monitor temperature levels, use digital thermometers. One thermometer should be placed on each side. Place the thermometers slightly above the substrate.
Prairie kingsnakes prefer humidity levels between 40 and 55%. Low humidity can lead to respiratory problems and hinder shedding. A hygrometer can measure humidity. If humidity is higher than 55%, increase ventilation
To ensure that the vivarium is moistened, lightly spray it every now and again. When the snake sheds, spray more water. The shedding process is helped by high humidity (55%) To provide the snake with moisture-holding shelter, set up a humid hide.
Substrate and Decoration
To allow burrowing behavior, the substrate must be both dry and deep. Cypress mulch and aspen shavings will best mimic the natural environment of prairie kingsnakes and won’t increase humidity.
Redwood and cedar shavings should be avoided as they contain toxic oils. Avoid harsh, grainy sand substrates as they can irritate the skin of the snake.
To make prairies feel more at home, you can also add leaf litter. Before adding leaves to your vivarium, ensure they have been dried completely and that they have been sterilized.
To make prairie kingsnakes feel at home, create plenty of hiding places. These hiding places can be made with rocks, plastic plants and driftwood. The hiding places should be large enough for the kingsnakes’ entire body to fit inside, but not too small.
You should create hiding places throughout your vivarium. Make sure there are enough hiding spots in both the cold and hot zones.
To the vivarium, add sterilized, dried branches. These branches are useful for prairie kingsnakes climbing. Prairie kingsnakes can climb to stay active and burn excess energy. Snakes can also use branches as shedding aids, and they will rest on the branches.
Prairie kingsnakes love to explore and are curious snakes. To prevent boredom, you can change the layout of your vivarium every month.
Cleaning
It is important to clean the enclosure of the prairie kingsnake every day. Poorly maintained vivariums can cause harmful bacteria growth, which can make the snake more susceptible to stress and other health problems.
Monthly, give your enclosure a thorough clean.
- Take off the substrate and spray the walls and decorations with mild chlorine or a reptile-friendly disinfectant spray.
- You should thoroughly clean up any dirt or debris that has gotten stuck.
- Rinse the disinfectant with water.
- Once the decorations have dried completely, you can replace the substrate and place them back in the enclosure.
Make sure to immediately clean up any waste. Regularly replace damaged substrate, especially after soiling. Disinfect the water bowl if the snake excretes.
While cleaning, wash your hands thoroughly and use gloves. To prevent infection, wash your hands after handling the snake.
Prairie Kingsnake Care
Prairie kingsnakes can be hardy and are easy to care for. A healthy diet and a vivarium that resembles their natural environment will ensure they live a happy life. A vivarium must have hiding places, climbing areas, and a suitable temperature gradient. The substrate should be soft and deep.
Respiratory infections are common in prairie kingsnakes. To prevent infection, ensure that the enclosure is kept at a comfortable humidity level. Prairie kingsnakes are supposed to eat every other week. Give them thawed mice. Change their water every day.
Food and Water
Prairie kingsnakes are carnivorous. The snake can eat rodents and frogs as well as birds, lizards and snakes. The snake is fed thawed mice as a diet. Mice should be about the same size as the snake’s girth, or slightly bigger.
An adult prairie kingsnake must have a mouse every 10-14 days. Hatchlings should have a meal every five to six day. Begin with pinky mice, and then move to hopper mice. Live mice should be avoided as they can injure prairie Kingsnakes.
Place a large water bowl near the end of your vivarium. The bowl should be tip-proof, and must be deep. The bowl should allow the prairie kingsnake to swim in the water. To maintain cleanliness, the water should be changed regularly.
Handling
Prairie kingsnakes can be handled easily and are very docile. Young snakes can take some time to get used to being handled. These snakes should be handled for five minutes and then returned to the vivarium. Each time, increase their handling time by 5 minutes.
Take care to not handle the prairie kingsnake more than once per day. Stress can be caused by overhandling. It is not allowed to handle the snake as it sheds its skin. The prairie kingsnake can become agitated during its sheds. The snake is shed when it has dull skin and opaque eyes.
If the snake has just eaten, avoid handling it. You should wait 48 hours before you handle the snake. It could regurgitate its food if it is not allowed to restrain itself. Always wash your hands after handling.
Common Health Issues
Prairie kingsnakes can be tough, but they are also prone to respiratory infections and regurgitation.
Respiratory Infections — Poor enclosure conditions and low humidity levels can lead to respiratory infections. A respiratory infection can be characterized by excessive salivation, nasal discharge and wheezing. To prevent respiratory infections, keep the enclosure clean and at the correct humidity level. You should seek medical attention for severe infections.
Mites — These tiny parasites feed on snake blood. The mites live primarily under the scales, around the mouth, and eyes. Prairie kingsnake mites can cause it to become lethargic, which can lead to loss of appetite. To treat mites, wash the snake in warm water.
Removing the substrate should be done. Keep decorations to a minimum until mites have gone. If necessary, repeat the process of bathing and disinfecting several times. Get the right treatment from a vet or reptile shop.
Regurgitation — Prairie kingsnakes can become stressed and even die from regurgitation. To prevent regurgitation, avoid handling snakes immediately after they have been fed. Also, ensure that their meals are appropriate in size. If regurgitation persists, seek medical attention immediately.
Breeding
When males and females are in close proximity during breeding season, mating can occur. To encourage breeding, it is important to ensure that both the snakes and their enclosures are healthy. Also, ensure that the prairie kingsnakes are subject to brumation. Prairie kingsnakes naturally reproduce after wild brumation.
Prairie kingsnakes can produce up to 17 offspring every time. The readiness to breed is indicated by the fact that females shed their skin prior to breeding. To breed prairie kingsnakes, follow these steps:
- Combine the pair you want. The male should follow the female and “pin” her. If she’s not ready to breed, the female will chase her tail and attempt to flee.
- If one of the snakes displays signs of disinterest, you should immediately remove the pair.
- If a snake is ready to breed, it will start to lock itself together. This is known as copulation.
- The locking pair should remain in the enclosure until the process is complete. Copulation can take several hours.
- When the mating ritual is complete, separate the couple.
When they are together, supervise males and women as closely as you can. Prairie kingsnakes are well-known for their cannibalistic tendencies. If mating was successful, females would shed again after four to eight more weeks.
To lay her eggs safely, a gravid prairie female will require a box. The female must have enough space to be able to move around in the box. The box should be kept moistened with damp sphagnummoss. The female can take up two weeks to lay her eggs. Every day, check the nesting box and take out eggs as soon as possible.
Do not attempt to separate the eggs or turn them. You could cause damage to the egg shells or embryos to become detached from the shell wall. After she finishes laying eggs, feed the female. To ensure that she doesn’t have any eggs left, you should conduct a physical exam.
Keep eggs at 80°F to 82°F. The eggs will hatch in 50 to 70 days. High humidity is required in the enclosure. You can increase humidity levels by using a moist, high-moisture substrate such as vermiculite or Thatcherite.
Separate hatchlings, and place them in separate enclosures. If they are kept together, hatchlings will attempt to eat one another.
Choosing and buying a Prairie Kingsnake
Prairie kingsnakes can be easy to take care of and are docile. These snakes are very popular with both novice and experienced herp keepers. As there are many captive-bred snakes available, hobbyists should not take wild prairies.
The average price for these snakes is between $80 and $200. Prices vary depending on location, age, color, morph, and other factors. The cost of hypo albino prairie snakes is higher than regular prairie kingsnakes. Many reptile specialty shops stock prairie snakes. Hobbyists should look for reliable breeders.
Prairie kingsnakes that are healthy will flick their tongues regularly, have bright eyes and smooth, non-irritating skin. They are willing to eat and don’t have breathing problems.
