Lampropeltis triangulum annulata
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| iMexican Milk Snake | ||||||||||||||||
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| Lampropeltis triangulum annulata Kennicott, 1861 |
The Mexican Milk Snake (Lampropeltis triangulum annulata) is a species of milk snake native primarily to northeastern Mexico in Coahuila, Tamaulipas and Nuevo León, but it can be found as far north as the United States, in southwestern Texas.
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[edit] Description
The Mexican Milk Snake has distinct red, black and cream colored banding, which sometimes leads to it being called a coral snake mimic. In some localities the cream colored banding can be more yellow, and in other areas it can be more orange. They grow to approximately 30 inches (76 cm) in length.
[edit] Behavior
Mexican milk snakes are generally nocturnal, and prefer to hide when the temperatures are higher, becoming most active in the cooler periods of the spring and fall. They eat primarily rodents and lizards, but will sometimes eat other snakes. Their choice of habititat is semi-arid brush areas, with sandy soils.
Breeding occurs on rainy spring evenings, and approximately 50 days later, the female will lay 4-10 eggs which will incubate for 55-60 days before hatching. Newborns are around 6-7 inches (15-17 cm) long.
[edit] In captivity
The Mexican Milk Snake is among the least popular of the milk snakes for a pet, but are not uncommonly found in captivity. They do adapt well to captive care, and their smaller size and striking colorations can make them an attractive choice for a pet snake. They are normally docile, and not typically apt to bite or expel musk.
[edit] References
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