Found this guy DOA in King County, TX. I think it's a Great Plains Rat Snake, but how do you tell the difference from an adult Prairie Kingsnake? Either way this is a first for me.
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Not sure about this one...
Pillsbarry
Oct 19, 2011 04:33 PM
Replies (4)
CousinMike
Oct 20, 2011 04:14 AM
Great Plains Rat Snake (Pantherophis emoryi). Without a doubt. Prairie Kingsnakes (Lampropeltis c. calligaster) have smooth scales. Great Plains Rat Snakes have weakly keeled scales. Great find!
Greg Longhurst
Oct 20, 2011 05:12 PM
Good call, Cuz. One other key is the more or less straight sides, giving the snake the "loaf of bread" look. That is typical of the genus formerly known as Elaphe. The kings would be round in cross-section.
~~Greg~~
remreps
Oct 21, 2011 12:26 PM
To me the simple way is to check the anal scale. Divided in rat snakes and single in kingsnakes.
DMong
Oct 21, 2011 12:57 PM
To also add to what the other posters mentioned, the Great Plains Ratsnake(P. emoryi) has a divided anal plate, whereas the the Prairie kingsnake(L.c.calligaster has a single anal plate.
Also, the head shape in the calligaster is less distinct from the neck than in emoryi. The top of the head in emoryi generally has more of a spearpoint(chevron) pattern than does the Prairie king that generally has more of a mottled "filigree" pattern.
Additionally, the subcaudal scale counts(underside past vent) in both are as follows.....the counts in males being higher in both.
P.emoryi subcaudals..........58-83
L.c.calligaster subcaudals...38-57
~Doug
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"a snake in the grass is a GOOD thing" 
