What Is the Prairie King Snake's Predator?

Birds of prey are significant predators of snakes anywhere that the two coexist. Red-tailed hawks are well documented ophidiophages, or snake eaters, that scan the ground for prey with incredible vision. One of the ways that prairie king snakes defend themselves from hawks is by remaining hidden; in a 1978 study of prairie king snake natural behavior, iconic herpetologist Henry S. Fitch noted that the species was invariably found under cover of some sort. In addition to red-tailed hawks, great horned owls (Bubo virginianus) are documented predators of the snakes as well.

A number of carnivorous mammals within the range of the prairie king snake opportunistically consume snakes. Notable examples include striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis), Virginia opossums (Didelphis virginiana) and raccoons (Procyon lotor). Prairie king snakes, like many species of snake, will expel a foul-smelling musk to deter predators; as birds typically have a poor sense of smell, musk has likely evolved in response to mammalian predators. Encounters with these animals are generally at night, as prairie king snakes are typically nocturnal, like these predators.

Prairie king snakes are consumed by larger prairie king snakes and sympatric subspecies of the common king snake (Lampropeltis getula ssp.). Spending much of their time underground, prairie king snakes are uniquely vulnerable to other snakes. While burrows may protect the snakes from mammals and birds, other snakes are well suited to hunt in these subterranean retreats. King snakes can consume snakes almost as large as they are, so a small discrepancy in size can mean the difference between being the predator and the prey.

Humans are harmful to prairie king snakes in three primary ways: directly killing the animals, running them over with cars and destroying their habitat. The effects of habitat destruction on these snakes is difficult to ascertain, as the shy nature of the species makes population surveys difficult. Humans often purposely kill these snakes, presumably mistaking their tail rattling defensive behavior for that of rattlesnakes, despite their generally benign temperament. While road kills are one of the leading causes of snake mortality, roads divide habitats and prevent dispersal, further pressuring wild populations.