- Size:
Length in Kansas up to 88 3/4 inches.
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Range:
Found throughout Kansas. |
- Description:
Harmless. Largest snake in Kansas; keeled scales; pattern of 33–73 large brown
or black blotches on brownish yellow body. Tail with alternating yellow and black bands.
Belly yellowish with variable black mottling. Young same as adults.
- Habits:
Lives in open grasslands as well as open woodland and woodland edge; common in cultivated
fields where there is an abundance of rodents. Active from April to November; generally
diurnal, basking in the sun or foraging for food, but becomes nocturnal during hot summer
months. Number of eggs per clutch ranges from 3-22. Constrictor. Most economically
beneficial snake in Kansas, consuming large quantities of rodents and saving farmers from
much grain loss; also eats pocket gophers, rabbits, ground squirrels, birds and bird eggs.
Emits a loud “hiss” when disturbed or frightened.
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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