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Western milksnake
Lampropeltis gentilis
HARMLESS
Description: 
Despite having a couple of different looks across the state, the western milksnake will have large red saddles outlined in black with white between them. The head may be red with subtle black markings and a white snout, or may be black with a whitish snout. The scales are smooth, the anal plate is single, and the belly will be white with black markings.
​
Size: 
Adults 16 - 36 inches (41 - 91 cm)

Prey: 
Rodents, lizards, and snakes

Reproduction: 
Mates in spring and lays 2 - 20 elongated eggs in June or July.  Eggs hatch in 6 - 9 weeks and young are 5 - 12 inches (13 - 30 cm) long.

Habitat: 
Open prairies, woodlands, and farmland

Other Information: 
Until recently, the 3 different color morphs in Oklahoma were classified as subspecies. They are all now classified as a single species known as the western milksnake (Lampropeltis gentilis) but here is that older information about them:

The red morph (Lampropeltis triangulum syspila) is found in the eastern 1/4 of the state, except for extreme southeast Oklahoma. 

The central plains morph (Lampropeltis triangulum gentilis) is found in central and western Oklahoma.
 
The Louisiana morph (Lampropeltis triangulum amaura) is found only in extreme southeast Oklahoma.




Why doesn't the range map show this species in my county?
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  • Home
  • Harmless Species
    • Broad-banded watersnake
    • Bullsnake
    • Coachwhip
    • Common gartersnake
    • Common watersnake
    • DeKay's brownsnake
    • Diamond-backed watersnake
    • Eastern hog-nosed snake
    • Flat-headed snake
    • Graham's crayfish snake
    • Great Plains ratsnake
    • Gulf swampsnake
    • Kansas glossy snake
    • Lined snake
    • Long-nosed snake
    • Marcy's checkered gartersnake
    • Northern red-bellied snake
    • Plain-bellied watersnake
    • Plains black-headed snake
    • Plains gartersnake
    • Plains hog-nosed snake
    • Prairie kingsnake
    • Racer
    • Ring-necked snake
    • Rough earthsnake
    • Rough greensnake
    • Scarletsnake
    • Slowinski's cornsnake
    • Speckled kingsnake
    • Texas nightsnake
    • Threadsnake
    • Variable groundsnake
    • Western black-necked gartersnake
    • Western milksnake
    • Western mudsnake
    • Western smooth earthsnake
    • Western ratsnake
    • Western ribbonsnake
    • Western wormsnake
  • Venomous Species
    • Copperhead
    • Northern cottonmouth
    • Prairie massasauga rattlesnake
    • Prairie rattlesnake
    • Timber rattlesnake
    • Western diamond-backed rattlesnake
    • Western pygmy rattlesnake
  • Patterned
  • Solid
  • Striped
  • About
  • Contact