Are eastern Milksnakes really a type of Kingsnake? Holding an eastern king and an eastern milk side by side look very close feature wise. Just wondering
frank
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Eastern Milk
idothatforme
May 23, 2006 09:25 PM
Replies (3)
bfoos
May 23, 2006 11:02 PM
Yes a Eastern Milk snake (Lampropeltis triangulum triangulum) is in the same family as the Eastern Kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula getula).
dniles
May 24, 2006 09:25 AM
The are closely related since they are in the same genus (lampropeltis) but they are different species (kingsnake is getula and milk is triangulum). Since they are different species, they cannot produce offspring that can in turn reproduce.
There are a lot of snakes that may look similar in appearance but are not closely related at all. I wish I knew more about taxonomy and everything that goes into determining each animal's family, genus and species, etc. but I don't. I know its alot more than just appearance and includes scale counts and many other biological characteristics.
Dave
DNS Reptiles
crimsonking
May 24, 2006 03:51 PM
I would not bet that the offspring of such a mating would be infertile. Just look at all the hybrid snakes out there..
Cal X FL kings X honduran milks, cornsnakes X honduran milks, etc.
Now as for the probability of L.t.triangulum and L.g. getula breeding...that's a different story. Surely someone someday will try this and succeed.
:Mark
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Surrender Dorothy!
