Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Last fall there were several people standing around a small prairie king on the front lawn at work. It was about a foot long and big around as a pencil. You would have thought it was a monster rattlesnake. Is it normal for them to darken as they grow? Not only is it darker on it's back and sides but also on it's belly. The belly scales are nearly all black or dark brown. There are very few white scales on the belly.

I have checked my field guide and took him to a couple of people for identification. I have a pretty high level of confidence he is a prairie king and not a rat snake. None of the larger prairie kings found in my neighborhood are this dark and not on their belly.

What are your thoughts?

Mike B

hi mike,

those belly scales really suggest it's a black rat snake or racer, can't be sure, not knowing where you live, but there are lots of areas where those animals overlap. A prairie king would keep its sort of checkerboard ventral pattern, i'd think. Let us know what you finally determine it to be. Any chance you could post a couple pix here?

good luck
terry

I hear what you are saying about the rat snake. The single anal scale and pattern on it's back suggest prairie king. The belly is not a checkerboard. It is:

dark brown beige dark brown beige
beige beige beige beige
beige beige beige beige
dark brown beige dark brown beige

after the single anal scale it is:

dark brown dark brown dark brown
beige beige beige
dark brown dark brown dark brown

It is feisty and likes to bite. Although that has improved.

Mike B

Wichita, Ks