Davis & Rice (1883) used Ophibolus doliatus triangulus and Garman (1892) used Ophibolus triangulus. If left alone, snakes pose no threat to people. These venomous snakes, along with the other 12 Connecticut snake species, are not aggressive and will only bite if threatened or handled. Nomenclatural History: Kennicott (1855) used the combination Ophibolis eximus (Harlan, 1827). The two venomous snake species found in Connecticut, the timber rattlesnake and the copperhead, do not have widespread distributions. Original Name: Coluber triangulum Lacapede, 1789. For syspila, Ophibolus doliatus syspila Cope, 1888. Type Locality: Not known. For syspila, “Richland, Illinois” Histoire naturelle des quadrupeds ovipares et des serpens. Red milk snakes may be over-collected for the pet trade at some localities.Įtymology: Lampropeltis – lampros (Greek) meaning bright, brilliant, radiant pelta (Latin) meaning small shield triangulum – triangulus (Latin) meaning ‘having three angles’ syspila – sys (Greek) together and spilos (Greek) spots. Status: Not commonly seen, except perhaps in the Chicago region and portions of the Shawnee Hills, because of its secretive nature. Predators include birds of prey and mammals, but many more probably are killed on roads by vehicles.ĭistribution Notes: Probably occurs statewide, with triangulum in the northern third of the state, syspila in the southern third and an intergrade zone in the middle third. Diet includes small mammals, birds and bird eggs, reptiles and reptile eggs, frogs, and fish. The young hatch in August or early September at 20-25 cm TL. Mates in spring and lays 8-20 eggs in June in rotting logs, tree stumps, or other rotting vegetation. Natural History: Usually found in rotting logs, under bark of stumps, or under logs, rocks, and other surface debris. Fun Facts Its frequent occurrence in rodent-infested barns led to the erroneous belief that they suck milk from cows by night hence the name Milksnake. Ecdysis the process of a reptile shedding its skin. Habitat: A variety of habitats from rocky, wooded hillsides and glades to old fields and wetlands. Milksnake a type of Kingsnake that is common in Connecticut, found around houses and barns, and does not have venom. syspila has 19-26 red blotches on the back and 4-8 red rings on the tail. triangulum has 33-46 brown blotches on the back alternating with 1-2 rows of spots on the side. Phillipsĭescription: Medium-sized (up to 110 cm TL) snake with variable color pattern. Milksnake, Woodford Co., IL photo by C.A. ![]() Subspecies: Eight subspecies are currently recognized in North America, but only two are known from Illinois, Eastern Milksnake, L. Similar Species: Prairie kingsnake, Great Plains Ratsnake. See the Key to Illinois Snakes for help with identification. Key Characters: Black-bordered red or brown blotches or rings belly white with sharply contrasting black spots back scales smooth anal plate not divided.
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