Animal Profiles
Reptiles

Milk Snake

Lampropeltis triangulum

Living

Living individuals or members of this group exist today. This does not mean they are safe from extinction.

The eastern milk snake (Lampropeltis triangulum) is a secretive constrictor with dark-bordered body blotches. The familiar common name does not mean that it drinks milk from farm animals.

Lampropeltis triangulum (milk snake)

Young eastern milksnake photographed in Washington County, Missouri, where red-patterned Lampropeltis triangulum occur.

Peter Paplanus · CC BY

At a glance

Habitat
Temperate forest, Grassland, Towns and cities
Diet
Carnivore
Food
Rodents, eggs and other small vertebrates.

Classification

Common name
Milk Snake
Browse group
Reptiles
Scientific name or taxon
Lampropeltis triangulum
Taxon rank
species
Family
Colubridae
Genus
Lampropeltis
Source classification
Reptilia

Taxonomy checked against GBIF. For breeds and hybrids, this describes the listed parent taxon.

Three things to know

  • It subdues prey by constriction.
  • It often shelters beneath logs and debris.
  • Its common name does not describe a milk diet.

Habitat and range

This account concerns eastern North American milk snakes, using woodland edges, fields and sheltered human-modified places. Older treatments combined additional milk-snake species farther south, so their full ranges are not included.

Appearance and adaptations

Colours vary across the species. Many eastern populations have grey or tan bodies with dark-bordered brown or reddish blotches. Missouri animals can be vividly red, black and pale cream, as in the young individual pictured.

Diet and behaviour

Rodents and other small vertebrates provide food; eggs and other snakes may also be eaten. Captured prey is constricted and swallowed whole. Animals often shelter beneath logs or debris and emerge when conditions favour hunting.

Sources

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