Milksnake- Lampropeltis triangulum sinaloae
Tangerine came to live at the ONC at the age of two years on October 10, 2024. She is an Idahoan. Her Idaho Falls person could no longer keep her so the ONC took her in to be part of the Outreach program.
- Average weight: 1.3 ounces to 3.09 pounds
- Length: 7 feet long
- Lifespan in Wild: 12 years
- Lifespan in Captivity: 25 years
Fascinating Facts:
They are constrictors and are not venomous. Milk Snakes are perfect to teach about mimicry in the wild and about the significance of Aposematism (certain colors that warn of danger. The Milk Snake colors are similar to the highly venomous Coral Snake which helps the Milk Snake because predators will avoid bright colors due to the danger factor. Animals learn over time what is dangerous and will pass on that knowledge to generation after generation. They do not drink milk. They are common on farmlands and were often seen near cows being milked and even in buckets of milk. They were most likely cooling off in the milk buckets and farmlands are overflowing with rodents. Rodents attract snakes. The Milk Snake name was given by mistake long, long ago when people thought they drank milk. Snakes are all carnivores so milk is not on the menu.
