Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Up until now I've kept only ball pythons and bci's. I've become fascinated with milk/king snakes and I have what is probably a dumb question: What is the difference between milks and kings? I've looked at a zillion pictures and read about both, but am confused as to the specific differences between the two. Is there a link to a concise guide, suggested reading, etc.?

Thanks in advance!!!!

There are some anatomical differences, but the short answer is that the term "milk snake" is confined to any of several highly variable subspecies of the single very wide-ranging (Maine to Ecuador) species Lampropeltis triangulum.

On the other hand, the term "king snakes" refers to ALL members of the genus Lampropeltis, including L. triangulum. Therefore, while all milk snakes are also king snakes, the reverse is in no way true.....

Brad Chambers

I don't know how true this is but I heard it is, the smaller mebers of lampropeltis are considered milksnakes, except scarlet kingsnakes (lampropeltis triangulum elapsoides). also someone mentioned that milksnakes are more fossoral not sure if that is the exact word.
wayne

Well, the "smaller" theory doesn't hold much water,...when you consider several of the Latin/Central American subspecies that attain lengths of 5-6 ft.(sometimes bigger) in length...The real differences between the two are subtle anatomical differences, as well as meristics(scalation). The "getula" complex typically have 23-25 mid-dorsal scales, wereas the "triangulum" have 21-23 scale rows at mid-body, with the exception of a couple southern-most ssp. having usually 19 at mid-body.....these small differences(and others) are how taxonomists place them into the different catagories......Doug

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Better to be silent and thought a fool, than to open mouth and remove any doubt!

Also, there are several smaller kingsnakes-e.g. Lampropeltis mexicana, L. zonata, L. calligaster, etc., which seldom attain lengths much greater than 36 in.

Also-please note that the scarlet "kingsnake" is actually a milksnake (at least under current taxonomy).

Brad Chambers

That clears up the basics.