A Field Study of the Prairie Kingsnake (Lampropeltis calligaster)

Lampropeltis calligaster was studied at the University of Kansas Natural History Reservation, 1948 to 1978, and in western Harvey County, south-central Kansas, 1959-1963. At both localities L. calligaster was found along with fifteen other snake species, and compared with others was intermediate in both size and abundance. It occupies a variety of grassland habitats. Males differ from females in relatively longertails (15.2% S-Vvs. 13.5%) and larger size (870 vs. 823mm S-V; 216 vs. 176.5gms). Scale-clipped individuals that were recaptured had made movements up to 485m (males) and 350m (females) in fairly well graduated series, implying ranges of these diameters, with areas of about 22 and nine has., respectively. Microtus ochrogaster was estimated to make up approximately 48% by volume of 66 recorded food items. Eight other species of small mammals, seven of reptiles and the eggs of bobwhite quail made up the remainder of the food. Neither insects nor amphibians were found as primary food items. For 25 egg clutches, including 11 obtained in this study and 14 from published literature, average was 10.10+ .98 (6-17); egg-laying extends over a little more than a month and average date is 3 July. Many adult females are non-breeders. Most young hatch in late August or September. Growth is highly variable. Typical year-old young have nearly doubled in length, from 272 to 536mm S-V. A gain of 23mm per month is typical in the second year. Maturity is attained in the second or third year. Because of differences in size, habitat, food preference and hunting technique, L. calligaster seemingly does not compete with many of the snake species that are its community associates on the two study areas. Certain species share some of the same food resources, but in every instance there are important differences. The prairie kingsnake (Lampropeltis calligaster) is a secretive species that is relatively uncommon throughout most of its range, hence thorough studies of its natural history and ecology have not been made, and most information that has accumulated concerning it in the literature is of an anecdotal nature. In a thirty-year field study of snake populations of the University of Kansas Natural History Reservation, these kingsnakes were obtained in such small numbers that they were never a major objective. However, the accumulated records yield a substantial sample that permits insight into various aspects of the species' ecology. Conseql3ently