The Prairie Kingsnake (Lampropeltis calligaster), also known commonly as the prairie king snake, yellow-bellied kingsnake, or yellow-bellied king snake, is a species of kingsnake that prefers habitat in open grassland with loose, dry soil, typically on the edge of a forested region, not far from a permanent source of water. Their diet consists primarily of rodents, but they will also consume lizards, frogs and occasionally other snakes. They are nonvenomous, and typically docile. Like most colubrids, if harassed they will shake their tail, which if in dry leaf litter can sound remarkably like a rattlesnake. They are not typically prone to biting, and if handled will often excrete a foul-smelling musk. When threatened, they flatten and appear to have white spots.
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