Reptiles of North Carolina

Scientific Name:	Common Name:		Family (Alpha):

NC Records
Colubridae Members:
Lampropeltis triangulum - Eastern Milksnake

Photo: Jim Petranka

Photo: J. Shimel

Taxonomy

Class: Reptilia

Order: Serpentes

Family: Colubridae

Subfamily: Colubrinae

Other Common Name(s): Eastern Milk Snake


Taxonomic Comments: Lampropeltis consists of 27 species of moderately slender colubrid snakes, ranging widely across much of North America, from southern Canada to as far south as Ecuador.
Species Comments: Lampropeltis triangulum, the Eastern Milksnake, is one of four Lampropeltis in North Carolina. This species is distributed primarily in the northeastern United States, ranging from southeastern Canada down the Appalachian Mountains, west to the northern Midwest. In North Carolina, it is essentially restricted to the Mountain region. Due to past taxonomic confusion, older records of this species—especially those from the Coastal Plain—should be revisited. Refer to the species account for Lampropeltis elapsoides for detailed information related to this taxonomic confusion in North Carolina. The generic epithet Lampropeltis is derived from the Greek words lampros, "radiant" or "shiny", and pelta, "shields", in likely reference to the glossy nature of their scales. The specific epithet triangulum is derived from the Latin triangulus, likely in reference to the triangular shape of the anterior-most blotch. Taxonomic References: Williams (1994)

Identification

Description: Eastern Milksnakes are medium-sized moderately slender with slightly pointed heads usually a bit wider than the neck. Their base dorsal coloration is gray to tan-gray, with large dorsal blotches that are gray, brown, or red. Smaller, alternating lateral blotches are also apparent. The anterior-most blotch creates a U-, V-, or Y-shaped marking across the back of the head and neck. The venter is mottled in black and white like a checkerboard. Some individuals have distinctly bright red blotches, leading to past confusion that they integrade with L. elapsoides in some places; this potential for hybridization is not supported by genetic investigation (e.g., Burbrink et al., 2022; Chambers et al., 2023).

Morphological Features: Eastern Milksnakes typically have 21 smooth scale rows at midbody. Ventral counts range from 189-210 in NC specimens (Palmer and Braswell, 1995), with 35-52 subcaudals and an undivided anal plate. Head scale counts are typically as follows: 7 supralabials, 9 infralabials, 1 loreal, 2 nasals, 1 preocular, 2 postoculars, and 2+3 temporals. Palmer and Braswell (1995) noted variation in scalation across multiple specimens in NC.

Eastern Milksnakes have a maximum recorded total length of 132.1 cm (52 inches). Palmer and Braswell (1995) reported a 106.7 cm specimen from NC. Tail lengths account for approximately 10-15% of total length. Males have relatively longer tails with more subcaudals than females.

Eastern Milksnakes do not have enlarged posterior teeth or Duvernoy's glands, meaning they are incapable of producing venom. They may bite when handled, but generally are harmless to humans and pets.

Technical Reference: Palmer and Braswell (1995); Ernst and Ernst (2003).

Field Guide Descriptions: Palmer and Braswell (1995); Ernst and Ernst (2003); Beane et al. (2010).

Online Photos: Google iNaturalist GBIF

Observation Methods: Eastern Milksnakes can be found under cover objects or crossing roads.

Distribution in North Carolina

County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.

Key Habitat Requirements

Habitat: Mountain populations inhabit both forested slopes and grassy balds, pastures, and meadows (Palmer and Braswell, 1995). If there are valid populations in the northeast part of the Coastal Plain, they probably occupy the same mix of habitats, which appear to be generally true in its range further to the north (Gibbons, 2017).

Life History and Autecology

Breeding and Courtship: Most reproductive data from this species comes from captive individuals, which may not accurately reflect wild populations (or accurate taxonomic assignment). Milksnakes reach sexual maturity body lengths approximately 60 cm, though some are reported as small as 40 cm. Mating occurs in the spring (April to May).

Reproductive Mode: Milksnakes are oviparous and typically lay eggs in summer (June to July) that hatch in later summer (August). Clutches range from 5 to 20 white, elongate, adherent eggs that average 32 mm long (Palmer and Braswell, 1995).

Hatchlings are approximately 20–21 cm in total length and weigh 7 g on average.

Terrestrial Life History: Milksnakes are primarily nocturnal but can be found active during the day. During the day, they can be found active on the surface, or under surface cover, in rock crevices, or in rotting logs and stumps. Milksnakes have been recorded in North Carolina from April–November, but most activity occurs in the spring and most records are from May to August.

Home range estimates are not known from North Carolina. Published home range estimates for Milksnakes in Kansas averaged 7 hectares (70,000 m²; Fitch, 1999), and snakes were known to return to the same shelters within their home range.

General Ecology

Adverse Environmental Impacts

Status in North Carolina

NHP State Rank: S3

Global Rank: G5

Status in North Carolina: W2

Photo Gallery for Lampropeltis triangulum - Eastern Milksnake		27 photos are shown.
	Recorded by: R. Jones Transylvania Co. Comment:	Recorded by: K. Bischof Transylvania Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: J. Mickey Wilkes Co. Comment:	Recorded by: J. Mickey Wilkes Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Guy McGrane Avery Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Robert Russo Caldwell Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Robert Russo Caldwell Co. Comment:	Recorded by: K. Bischof Transylvania Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Lori Arent Wilkes Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Robert Russo Caldwell Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Robert Russo Caldwell Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Robert Russo Wilkes Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: K. Bischof Transylvania Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin Yancey Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Robert Russo Caldwell Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Robert Russo Caldwell Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: A. Lasley Burke Co. Comment: SOMO - Adult seen crossing road after dark. S Mountain Park Ave	Recorded by: Robert Russo Caldwell Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: K. Bischof Burke Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Jim Petranka Madison Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka Madison Co. Comment:	Recorded by: J. Mickey Wilkes Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: J. Shimel Ashe Co. Comment:	Recorded by: J. Mickey Wilkes Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Pat Momich Madison Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Pat Momich Madison Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: J. Anderson Ashe Co. Comment:

Lampropeltis triangulum - Eastern Milksnake

Photo Gallery for Lampropeltis triangulum - Eastern Milksnake

27 photos are shown.