Davis & Rice (1883) used Ophibolus doliatus triangulus and Garman (1892) used Ophibolus triangulus. The belly is white and strongly checked with black. Nomenclatural History: Kennicott (1855) used the combination Ophibolis eximus (Harlan, 1827). Original Name: Coluber triangulum Lacapede, 1789. For syspila, Ophibolus doliatus syspila Cope, 1888. Type Locality: Not known. For syspila, “Richland, Illinois” Histoire naturelle des quadrupeds ovipares et des serpens.
Red milk snakes may be over-collected for the pet trade at some localities.Įtymology: Lampropeltis – lampros (Greek) meaning bright, brilliant, radiant pelta (Latin) meaning small shield triangulum – triangulus (Latin) meaning ‘having three angles’ syspila – sys (Greek) together and spilos (Greek) spots. Status: Not commonly seen, except perhaps in the Chicago region and portions of the Shawnee Hills, because of its secretive nature. Predators include birds of prey and mammals, but many more probably are killed on roads by vehicles.ĭistribution Notes: Probably occurs statewide, with triangulum in the northern third of the state, syspila in the southern third and an intergrade zone in the middle third. Scarlet kingsnakes are usually thought to be mimics of the venomous coral snakes and have bright red, black, and yellow bands that extend across the belly. Black Milk Snake these are born looking like the average species but as it grows up, the black pigmentation takes over the majority of its body. They are mistaken for the copperhead snake frequently. Eastern Milk Snakes are found often in nature too. Diet includes small mammals, birds and bird eggs, reptiles and reptile eggs, frogs, and fish. The patterns look more like spots or saddle markings than milk snake stripes. The young hatch in August or early September at 20-25 cm TL. The Eastern Milksnake is grey or tan with alternating red or reddish brown blotches that are distinctly outlined in black along its. Mates in spring and lays 8-20 eggs in June in rotting logs, tree stumps, or other rotting vegetation. Natural History: Usually found in rotting logs, under bark of stumps, or under logs, rocks, and other surface debris. Habitat: A variety of habitats from rocky, wooded hillsides and glades to old fields and wetlands. syspila has 19-26 red blotches on the back and 4-8 red rings on the tail. triangulum has 33-46 brown blotches on the back alternating with 1-2 rows of spots on the side. Phillipsĭescription: Medium-sized (up to 110 cm TL) snake with variable color pattern. Milksnake, Woodford Co., IL photo by C.A. Subspecies: Eight subspecies are currently recognized in North America, but only two are known from Illinois, Eastern Milksnake, L. Similar Species: Prairie kingsnake, Great Plains Ratsnake. See the Key to Illinois Snakes for help with identification.
Key Characters: Black-bordered red or brown blotches or rings belly white with sharply contrasting black spots back scales smooth anal plate not divided.
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