- Size:
Length in Kansas up to 49 3/4 inches.
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Range:
Found throughout Kansas; least abundant on High Plains. |
- Description:
Harmless. Smooth scales; belly yellow and irregularly patterned with black; black
head, body and tail profusely speckled with small yellow, cream or white spots. Yellow
speckling on back may fuse to form narrow bars. Young generally same as adults, but yellow
speckles nearly always fused to form bars on back.
- Habits:
Inhabits moist areas of open woodland, woodland edge or lowlands as well as open
prairie; frequents rocky ledges on hillsides and small mammal burrows in open areas.
Active from April to October, primarily during day; nocturnal in summer. Eggs in clutches
of 2-17 and generally hatch in fall. Constrictor. Diet includes rodents, small birds, eggs
(bird and reptile), lizards and other snakes.
Click here for
information on precautions against being bitten by snakes
and what to do if you have been bitten by one.
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