STUART'S MILKSNAKE
Lampropeltis triangulum stuarti

Range: Central America: Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua.

Habitat: Tropical dry forest at moderate elevations, ranging to coastal plains.

Mouserssssss: Milksnakes eat rodents and mammals of similar size, and smaller snakes.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder: Milksnakes are brightly banded and generally colorful. Tropical forms such as Stuart's tend to be larger than species found in the United States. Average size is three to four feet. Because of banding, they are often mistaken for coral snakes.

Welcome to my crib: Milksnakes are oviparous, eggs being deposited under stones and in plant debris. Hatchlings are even more brilliantly-colored than adults. Milksnake babies range in size from eight to ten inches.

Longevity: Captive data only: 16 to 21 years.

It does a body good: "Milksnakes" are so named because they are often found in and around cattle barns and were once thought to suck milk from cows. In fact, they prey on the many rodents that infest such areas. In general, they have a relatively placid temperament.

Status: Common.

Australasia | Conservation Corner | Madagascar |
Marco Polo Trail | North America | Plains of Africa | Tropical America