Many people encounter a snake with striking patterns and wonder if it is a milk snake or a king snake, often confusing the two. This article aims to untangle this confusion by exploring their scientific classification, distinguishing features, and shared behaviors.
The Taxonomic Connection
Milk snakes are indeed a type of king snake. Both belong to the genus Lampropeltis. This genus is part of the larger Colubridae family, which includes many non-venomous snakes worldwide. All milk snakes are classified as king snakes, but not all king snakes are milk snakes; the genus Lampropeltis encompasses various species beyond just the milk snake.
The milk snake itself is scientifically known as Lampropeltis triangulum, and it comprises numerous subspecies, sometimes recognized as many as 24. Other well-known species within the Lampropeltis genus include the common king snake (Lampropeltis getula) and the scarlet king snake (Lampropeltis elapsoides).
Identifying Differences
Distinguishing them from other king snake species and similar-looking snakes relies on specific visual cues. Milk snakes typically display alternating bands or blotches of red, black, and yellow, white, or orange. These patterns can vary significantly among the different milk snake subspecies, with some exhibiting red blotches instead of bands. For instance, Eastern milk snakes often have a gray or tan background with black-edged, reddish-brown blotches, and a distinctive light-colored “Y” or “V” shape on the back of their head.
Their scales are notably smooth and shiny. The underside, or belly, of many milk snakes features a distinct black-and-white checkerboard pattern. In contrast, some other king snake species might have different patterning, such as the chain-like rings of the common king snake or the more uniform coloration of other Lampropeltis members.
Milk snakes generally have a rounded head. They can be confused with venomous snakes like copperheads, which have a more triangular head and hourglass-shaped blotches, rather than the rounded or square blotches of milk snakes.
Shared Traits and Mimicry
Beyond their taxonomic ties, milk snakes and other king snakes share several behaviors and ecological roles. Both are non-venomous constrictors, meaning they subdue their prey by coiling around it and suffocating it before swallowing it whole. Their diet primarily consists of rodents, birds and their eggs, other reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates. These snakes are often found in diverse habitats, including forests, fields, rocky areas, and even human-modified environments like barns, where they hunt rodents.
A notable shared characteristic, particularly prominent in milk snakes, is Batesian mimicry. This is a survival strategy where a harmless species evolves to resemble a more dangerous one to deter predators. Many milk snake subspecies mimic the vibrant banding patterns of venomous coral snakes, which feature red, black, and yellow bands. Although widely circulated rhymes attempt to differentiate between the two (e.g., “red on yellow, kill a fellow; red on black, friend of Jack”), these mnemonics are not entirely reliable as some coral snakes and milk snake subspecies can deviate from these patterns. This mimicry serves as an effective defense mechanism, causing potential predators to avoid them, mistaking them for their dangerous counterparts.