Kingsnake / Milksnake
Western Milksnake
HarmlessLampropeltis gentilis
6 photographs of the Western Milksnake. © Joshua Ebright.
The Western Milksnake (Lampropeltis gentilis) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 2 countries.
- Also called
- Kingsnake / Milksnake
- Family
- Colubridae
- Size
- 2–5 ft.
- Habitat
- Forests, farmland, grasslands, and suburbs.
- Behavior
- Powerful constrictors that eat other snakes — including venomous ones; gentle but may musk or vibrate the tail.
- Identify
- Smooth, glossy scales with bold bands or chain-like patterns. Milksnakes mimic coral snakes, but red touches black.
About the Western Milksnake
Lampropeltis gentilis, commonly known as the western milksnake, Central Plains milksnake, pale milksnake, Utah milksnake, or New Mexico milksnake, is a species of nonvenomous snake in the family Colubridae. It is found in the United States.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Western Milksnake
- Is the Western Milksnake venomous?
- No. The Western Milksnake (Lampropeltis gentilis) is non-venomous and is not considered dangerous to humans. Like most snakes, it will retreat rather than bite when given the chance.
- Is the Western Milksnake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Western Milksnake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Western Milksnake dangerous?
- The Western Milksnake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Western Milksnake live?
- The Western Milksnake has verified records in 2 countries, including United States of America, Mexico. See the distribution section below for its full range.
- How do I identify the Western Milksnake?
- Smooth, glossy scales with bold bands or chain-like patterns. Milksnakes mimic coral snakes, but red touches black.
- How big does the Western Milksnake get?
- 2–5 ft.
Where it is found
More Colubridae snakes
Eastern MilksnakeLampropeltis triangulum
California King SnakeLampropeltis californiae
Speckled KingsnakeLampropeltis holbrooki
Eastern KingsnakeLampropeltis getula
Black KingsnakeLampropeltis nigra
Prairie KingsnakeLampropeltis calligaster
Desert KingsnakeLampropeltis splendida
Scarlet KingsnakeLampropeltis elapsoides
Classification
How scientists group this snake, from the broadest category down to the exact species. Each step narrows to its closest relatives.
- OrderThe broad group of scaled reptiles: all snakes and lizards
- Squamata
- FamilyA group of related snakes that share key traits
- Colubridae
- GenusA close-knit group of very similar species
- Lampropeltis
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Lampropeltis gentilis
Keep learning
- What to Do If You Find a SnakeFound a snake at home or on a trail? Here is how to stay calm, give it space, identify it safely, and know when to call a professional.
- Venomous vs Nonvenomous: How to Tell the DifferenceThe folk rules for telling venomous snakes apart, where each one fails, and why location-based identification beats guessing by sight.
- What Is a Snake? Anatomy and the BasicsA clear overview of what makes a snake a snake: limbless body plan, anatomy, evolution from lizards, species diversity, and why they are ectothermic.
- How to Keep Snakes Out of Your Yard and HomeA practical guide to keeping snakes out of your yard and home using habitat changes that work, plus what to skip and what to do if one shows up.
Distribution from GBIF & iNaturalist. Venom status per CDC. Background: Wikipedia. Informational only. Never handle a snake to identify it.