Mole Kingsnake

The Mole Kingsnake is a subspecies of the prairie kingsnake complex, named for its fossorial habits and frequent presence underground or beneath surface debris. It is a constrictor that spends much of its life hidden, making it far less often seen than many other kingsnakes.

Adults often appear almost uniformly brown or tan, as their juvenile blotching fades with age, giving them a plain, unassuming look.

• Tan, brown, or grayish ground color with rows of darker brown or reddish-brown blotches
• Blotches often fade and become indistinct in older adults, appearing nearly patternless
• Smooth, glossy scales typical of kingsnakes
• Small head barely wider than the neck, with round pupils
• Look-alikes: corn snakes and other kingsnake subspecies; the Mole Kingsnake's faded adult pattern and smooth scales help separate it from similarly patterned pit vipers

Found in open woodlands, fields, prairies, and agricultural land with loose or sandy soil suitable for burrowing. It spends much of its time underground, under logs, or beneath rocks and debris. Range extends from the mid-Atlantic states through the Gulf Coast region.

Primarily fossorial and nocturnal, rarely seen active on the surface except during rain or at night. It is a constrictor that preys on small mammals, other reptiles, and occasionally birds and their eggs. Females lay eggs in underground cavities during summer.