In some situations, milk snakes also migrate seasonally, during the winter they move to higher and drier habitats for hibernation and moister habitats for the summer. Typically, milk snakes live in forested regions however, they can also be found in swamps, prairie, farmland, rocky slopes, and sand dunes/beaches. Habitat Īcross the wide range of this species, habitat varies. Due to their bright coloration, Milksnakes are often found in the pet trade and sometimes collected illegally from the wild.Milk snakes can be found from the southeastern extreme of Canada through the eastern half of the United States. The common name is derived from folklore, when these snakes were thought to enter barns and drink milk from cows. A previous study split Milksnakes into seven different species and considered the species that occurs in South Dakota to be the Western Milksnake (Lampropeltis gentilis) however, these changes are not widely accepted. Remarks: Milksnakes are widespread species, and individuals vary greatly in their appearance across this broad range.
South Dakota Status: This species is not monitored by South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks. Despite a colorful pattern, these snakes are remarkably secretive, likely contributing to an incomplete understanding of their distribution in South Dakota. South Dakota Distribution: Milksnakes can be found across much of South Dakota west of the Missouri River and along the Missouri River in southeastern South Dakota. Scattered, isolated populations exist along the western border of this species in the Rocky Mountains and the southwestern United States. Species Distribution: This species can be found across much of the eastern and central United States, north into southern Canada and south through Central America and into South America. Eggs typically hatch two months later, with hatchlings 6–10 inches (15–25 cm) in length. Females lay 8–12 eggs in decomposing organic material one or two months after copulation. During copulation, a male often bites the neck of a female and wraps their tails together, aligning his cloaca with hers. Mating often takes place in spring and early summer. If picked up, Milksnakes will often bite and release a foul-smelling musk in an attempt to be released. When agitated, Milksnakes will coil up and vibrate their tail, and if they continue to be provoked, will strike. The flashy coloration of Milksnakes is a form of mimicry that can imitate venomous coralsnakes (which do not occur in South Dakota). Large prey items will often be constricted, but smaller prey is often not. Milksnakes consume a wide range of prey items, including mammals, lizards, and other snakes. These secretive snakes usually seek shelter or warmth beneath objects, such as rocks or wood, rather than basking in the sun. Natural History: Milksnakes are active from April to October, before returning to overwintering locations, which are typically mammal burrows or rocky crevices.
In South Dakota, Milksnakes are primarily found in grasslands with rocky outcrops or rocky cover.
Habitat: Given the large distribution of Milksnakes, individuals can be found in a variety of habitats, including prairies and deciduous forests. Milksnakes are considered harmless mimics of venomous coralsnakes ( Micrurus spp.) however, coralsnakes do not occur in South Dakota or any neighboring state. This is the only species of snake in South Dakota with large red bands and should not be confused with any other species. Scales on this species are smooth (unkeeled), and the anal scale is not divided. Juvenile coloration is similar to adults. These large dorsal saddles rarely extend onto the underside of individuals. In South Dakota, the background coloration of individuals is typically white or light gray, with large red saddles bordered in black running the length of the body. The coloration of this species is variable across its broad range. Description: The Milksnake is a slender, medium-sized snake, with adults ranging from 24–36 inches (61–91 cm) in length.
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