MILK SNAKE: Telling Stories

One of the most widely distributed of terrestrial Snakes, Milk Snakes (Lampropeltis triangulum) are found from Canada to Ecuador.  People will often discover these Snakes living under rocks or wooden boards.  As opportunistic hunters, Milk Snakes successfully prey upon Rodents that live in those places.

Boldly patterned Milk Snakes are sometimes mistaken for Copperheads and Rattlesnakes.  Moreover, one member of the Milk Snake Family, Scarlet Kingsnake resembles Coral Snake.  Like their fellow King Snakes, Milk Snakes also hunt Copperheads and Rattlesnakes but not Coral Snakes.

An Old World folk tale has become associated with Milk Snakes.  According to various stories, Milk Snakes suck the milk from nursing mothers and cows until they are dry.  Of course, Milk Snakes lack the anatomy to suck and digest milk.  So these folk stories are false.

This myth arose because people discovered these nocturnal Snakes nosing about their homes and barns.  Milk Snakes were of course hunting Rats living in abundance there.  However, instead of sucking milk, these Snakes brought good health by killing vermin instead.

            Check your facts thoroughly before telling stories counsels Milk Snakes.  Silly stories may abound about these Snakes but they do cause undue fear in humans.  Imagine a person encountering a Milk Snake after hearing these inane tales.  Instead of repeating tales, discover if they are true or not or you may cause harm to innocent parties.

KINGSNAKE SUBFAMILY (Lampropeltis): Love of Art

Exceptionally adaptable for a Reptile, Kingsnakes live in a rich diversity of habitats, ranging from scrublands to wetlands.  To keep warm and cool, They often hide under rocks or fallen logs.  Kingsnakes living near ponds and streams will swim to hunt for their meal.

As powerful constrictors, Kingsnakes hunt and eat other Snakes.  The “King” in their name refers to their preying on other Snakes as food.  Immune to their venom, Kingsnakes hunt Copperheads and Rattlesnakes.  (However, They are not immune to Coral Snakes.)

            Brightly colored Kingsnakes are sometimes mistaken for Coral Snakes.  In fact, a multitude of rhymes exist to inform people how to tell the difference.  (“Red and Yellow kills a fellow.  Red and black are safe for Jack.”)  However many Kingsnakes do not share the same habitat with Coral Snakes, and also are not convincing mimics.  But the rhymes are entertaining nonetheless.

            Kingsnakes come in a rainbow of polished colors – reds, oranges, yellows, tans, blacks, and whites.  Designs of bands, patches, rings, speckles, spots, or stripes are vividly displayed on their bodies.  In fact, Kingsnakes are best known for their kaleidoscope of colors and skin patterns.  With bright contrasting patterns on their bodies, Kingsnakes create optical illusions as They quickly move across the earth.  This usually startles any predators lurking nearby.

            Kingsnakes ably demonstrate the depth and breadth of art, since their bodies are a riot of designs and colors.  Each Snake is an incredible work of art.  With their fanciful markings, individual Snakes within the species can differ from each other.  Explore color and design and create beauty as Kingsnakes do.  Love and appreciate art along with Them.  

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