Western Milk snake

Other Names: Pale Milk Snake, Central Plains Milk Snake
Scientific Name: Lampropeltis gentilis
(Formerly: Lampropeltis triangulum)
Family: Colubridae

Description & Size

  • Legless
  • No eyelids
  • Lacks external ears
  • Scales on the back are smooth
  • Single anal scale
  • Total length: 35.0-137.0 cm (13.8-53.9 in)
  • Tri-colored snake that band consists of black, white, or yellow, and red or orange
  • The light and red/orange colored bands are surrounded by darkly colored bands

Life History

  • Nocturnal, sometimes Diurnal
  • Active season: Early April – late October-
  • Breeding season: April – June
  • Lays eggs
  • 2-24 eggs per female
Western Milksnake

Habitat

  • Grasslands
  • Limestone or other rocky areas
  • Woodland edges

Diet

  • Small reptiles
  • Small mammals
  • Birds

Range Map

Milksnake Range Map

Most common range within the last 50 years and does not include outliers. For more info email researchers email.