A-luring Tails

Posted by Wayne Kanzig on April 22, 2006

Q: I am trying to identify a (Kansas) prairie snake with yellow belly and olive green back. Please help!

Habitat: field/meadow

State: Kansas

Habitat: field/meadow

A: From your description and location, it sounds like you've been seeing an Eastern Yellowbelly Racer (Coluber constrictor). Google this species and see it it matches. These snakes do vary quite a bit in color but may be olive above and yellowish below as you described. This particular snake is quite active during the middle of the day as it forages for small animals. This species is typically 58-127cm (23-50") long . Thanks for asking.

John Wiessinger ( April 24, 2006)