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Milk Snake
Lampropeltis triangulum
Habitat: Milk snakes can thrive in a variety of habitats. They are usually found around coniferous or deciduous forest edges, but they can also be found in tropical hardwood forests, open woodland, dry or wet prairies, savannahs, rocky hillsides, small streams or marshes, and agricultural or suburban areas.
Diet: L. triangulum is carnivorous. Adults feed mainly on rodents such as voles, mice, and rats, but will also eat birds, bird eggs, lizards, snake eggs, or other snakes, including venomous species like coral snakes and rattlesnakes. Hatchlings seem to feed mainly on other young snakes. When prey is captured, it is constricted until it suffocates. It is then swallowed whole.
Behavior: A solitary species, L. triangulum is rarely seen in the open during the day, but is often seen crossing roads at night. They usually hide under rotting logs or damp trash, but can be found still active at high temperatures, when other snakes seek refuge from the heat. A favorite hunting ground is around barns or other human locales, lying in wait to feed on the small rodents commonly found in such areas. The only time these snakes are found in groups is during hibernation. Right before and right after hibernation, they can be seen basking in the sun in large groups.
Reproduction: Milk snakes probably mate while still in their hibernacula. They mate in spring before emerging and dispersing to their summer ranges. Mating is probably indiscriminate. Milk snakes lay elliptical eggs in rotting logs or humus in the spring or early summer. These eggs are laid in clutch sizes of 2 to 17, usually about 10. Eggs hatch after an incubation period of 28 to 39 days with hatchlings measuring from 14 to 28 cm long upon hatching. The young are always brightly colored, though color dulls as maturity is reached. It takes 3 to 4 years to reach full maturity.
Physical Description: Specimens of L. triangulum have been found in lengths ranging from 35 to 175 cm, with the neotropical populations achieving the greatest lengths. In the United States lengths are most often 60 to 130 cm. The Milk Snake is a very colorful snake. Its body may be gray or tan, having a light Y or V shaped patch on the neck. Black bordered "blotches", brown or rust colored down the sides of the body are common as are red, orange, yellow, or white "blotches" with colorful borders, depending on the subspecies.
Status: Common
Fun Facts:
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Milk snakes are prey for animals such as raccoons, foxes, skunks, and coyotes. |
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When it feels threatened, the snake will vibrate its tail, sounding much like a rattlesnake. |
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Another adaptation this species has to avoid death by predator is its coloration. Many of the L. triangulum subspecies practice mimicry. Their color patterns look similar to either those of the venomous copperhead or the coral snake. |
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