Idenitifcation
Milk snakes
average 25-30 inches in length, and are characterized by an ornate pattern of
reddish brown, black-bordered saddles on the dorsal surface, alternating with
the same pattern on the sides. The background color is usually light gray to
pale yellow, while the belly is almost white. The young are almost white with
dark red saddle blotches. Two subspecies of milk snakes are found in Indiana:
the Eastern Milk Snake, L. t. triangulum, and the Red Milk Snake, L.
t. syspila. The Red Milk Snake has larger and fewer markings than the Eastern
Milk Snake - the dorsal markings extend down well onto the sides and the lateral
markings are very small to almost absent. Also, the markings are more red and
the background is more white in the Red Milk Snake, which is often referred
to as the “candy cane snake”. Similar species include: Prairie
Kingsnake, Scarlet Snake
Distribution and status
The Eastern Milk Snake can be found in the northern half and southeast parts of the state, while the Red Milk Snake can be found in the southwest. Both species are considered common within thier respective ranges in Indiana.
Ecology
Milk snakes often forage around farm sheds and barns, but live in many different kinds of environments with the exception of especially dry habitats. Milk snakes eat mostly small mammals, but will also eat birds, eggs, and other reptiles. When threatened, they coil into a tight ball or may vibrate their tail and strike.
Resources
General reference guides
and websites.
Bruce Kingsbury, Director
Center for Reptile and Amphibian Conservation and Management
Science Building
Indiana-Purdue University
2101 East Coliseum Blvd.
Fort Wayne, IN 46805-1499