Reptile & Amphibian Forums

large one

small one

Both of these snakes were found in north western alabama, in a field behind my house. I think they are either prairie or mole king snakes, but i am very uncertain. Any help will be appreciated.

Yes they are
They certainly have the looks of either/both and there is an intergradation area in your state....but looking at the smaller one specifically and his smaller, lower count blotches and their shape, I'm leaning toward mole king.
Scale counts would help nail down the i.d.
21-23 =mole

:Mark
-----
Surrender Dorothy!

www.crimsonking.funtigo.com

I agree with Mark. According to one book I checked, it would be a bit of a range extension for that to be a prairie. Conant's range map places the mole in Alabama, but the prairie doesn't even enter the state. Both are nice looking snakes.

~~Greg~~

The head of the first snake looks like that of a rat snake...kind of confusing. But as far as pattern goes its more like that of a mole kingsnake than prairie. Plus if the range of prairies doesn't extend that far then that rules them out.

I did not know prairie king snakes lived near me until i started looking for an id for these snakes, a book i read had the pairie king snake in south east tn ( i can nearly throw a rock into tn) so i was unsure. I will try to get a scale count if it will hold still.

Thanks for the help. =)

Errr i meant south west tn. =p

Hey would you mind emailing me at zach_sylvania_08@yahoo.com. Im from Dekalb county and would like to hear more about the kings you are finding. Ive been hearing several reports from lawrence county.

By my count it has 23 rows of scales at mid body.

Here are pics that can be used to count the scales and to get a better look at them.