The Bedford Estates, London
Overview
The Atlantic Central American Milksnake is a brightly coloured, banded snake. They are non-venemous and can be found throughout Mexico.
All about us
| Distribution: | Mexico |
|---|---|
| Habitat: | Deciduous forest edges, tropical forests, open woodland, dry or wet prairies, savannah's, rocky hillsides, small streams or marshes, and agricultural or suburban areas |
| Height: | Average length 90 cm |
| Lifespan: | 15 - 20 years in captivity |
| Threats: | Often killed by humans who mistake them for venomous snakes |
About us
Scientific name: Lampropeltis polyzona
Atlantic Central American Milksnakes are rarely seen in the open during the day; however they can be active at high temperatures, in comparison to other snakes which seek shelter from the heat.
Milksnakes are often killed by humans who mistake them for venomous snakes, they are widespread and still considered abundant throughout most of their range.
Atlantic Central American Milksnakes brumate or hibernate for a period of 3-4 months from November through early March, emerging to mate at the end of this time period. Females are triggered in this way to ovulate and produce a pheromone trail (using glands on her skin) which the males follow. The female lays 2-15 eggs 30 days after mating. Two months after copulation, hatchlings measuring from 14 to 28 cm emerge. The young are always brightly coloured, though colour dulls as maturity is reached. It takes 3 to 4 years to reach full maturity.
Atlantic Central American Milksnakes are non-venomous constrictors. Firstly a milk snake will strike and bite their prey in order to obtain a firm grip, and then it quickly wraps one or more coils of its body around the victim. The snake then squeezes tightly; unable to expand their lungs to breathe, the prey suffocates. They feed on a variety of prey. Young hatchlings tend to feed on lizards and other young snakes, while adults feed on larger prey, such as mice, rats, birds and snake eggs. It swallows the food whole, usually head first.
The Atlantic Central American Milksnake is a three colour banded snake. The band pattern is red-black-white-black. The bands are fairly broad, although the black bands are narrower than the red and white bands. There are a number of colour variations where the white may be replaced with apricot or tangerine, and the red may be replaced with orange. The head is black and usually has a light U-shape on the frontal scale. The first white band starts on the back of the head. The bands extend partly onto the underside.
Intensive agricultural development and urbanization have caused localized declines and they are also popular pets, and may be collected from the wild for the pet trade. They are also hunted for their skins to make tourist products or souvenirs which contribute to their decline.
Milk snakes, like all snakes, play an important ecological role in their environment. They help maintain the balance of nature by being both predator and prey. Milk snakes are among those snakes most often considered helpful to humans because they hunt rodents. These reptiles should be respected instead of feared or harassed.
Both milk snakes and coral snakes possess transverse bands of red, black and yellow. A popular rhyme can be used to properly distinguish between the deadly coral snake and the harmless milk snake:
'Red on yellow will kill a fellow, but red on black is a friend of Jack.'
Snakes have no eyelids and instead have a transparent covering that rests over their eyes called brilles to protect their eyes from dust and dirt. The brilles give them a "glassy-eyed" blank appearance. Snakes sleep with their eyes open!
