Eastern Milk Snake

The Eastern Milk Snake is a widespread colubrid found across much of the eastern and central United States and into southeastern Canada. It belongs to the kingsnake genus and is well known for its bold blotched pattern.

This species has reddish-brown saddle-like blotches, and can be distinguished from look-alikes by details of its head shape and pattern arrangement.

• Grey, tan, or light brown background with reddish-brown to chestnut, black-bordered saddle-like blotches down the back
• Smooth, glossy scales
• Rounded head not distinct from the neck, with round pupils
• Often has a light-colored Y- or V-shaped mark on the back of the head/neck
• Distinguished from copperheads by its smooth scales, round pupils, and non-hourglass blotch pattern

Found in a wide range of habitats including forests, farmland, rocky hillsides, and suburban areas across its extensive range in the eastern and central US and southeastern Canada, often sheltering under rocks, logs, and debris.

Primarily nocturnal and secretive, spending much of the day hidden under cover objects. It is a constrictor feeding on rodents, other snakes, lizards, and occasionally birds and their eggs. It is oviparous, laying eggs in early to mid-summer.