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MILK SNAKE
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Lampropeltis traingulum
HOUSE NAME: "Frederick"
HABITAT: Rocky ledges and hillsides along streams and woodland edges of the Great Plains region.
CONSERVATION STATUS: Least Concern
FUN FACT:
Milk snakes prefer to stay hidden under sun-warmed rocks rather than bask in the open. Although this species tends to hunt actively for food during the day, they can switch to nocturnal activity during the hottest part of the summer.
DIET: Milk snakes kill by constriction. Eats primarily small lizards, snakes, small mice, and occasionally insects. Often found in barnyards where they hunt mice, therefore erroneously accused of milking cows, hence the common name
DESCRIPTION: Milk snakes are characterized by smooth scales, a bold black and white pattern on the belly and brilliantly contrasting patterns on the head, body, and tail. The pattern is usually black-bordered bright red or orange bands separated by narrower yellow, white or cream bands. The top of the head is usually red in Eastern Kansas and black or orange in the western part of the state. While length normally ranges from 16-28 inches, the longest milk snake on record is 52 inches. Adult males grow larger than females
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