Utah Milk Snake
Lampropeltis gentilis
A small tricolor milk snake subspecies with narrow red, black, and white/yellow bands found in the arid intermountain West.
- Venomous?
- Non-venomous
- Adult length
- 0.6-1.0 m (2-3.3 ft)
- Range
- Southwestern United States including Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico
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Overview
The Utah milk snake is one of several tricolor subspecies within the milk snake complex, occupying rocky and desert habitats of the intermountain West. It is a secretive, nonvenomous constrictor that mimics the warning coloration of venomous coral snakes despite posing no threat itself.
Like other milk snakes, it spends much of its life hidden under rocks, in rodent burrows, or beneath surface debris, emerging primarily at night or during cooler parts of the day to forage.
How to identify it
- Slender body with smooth, glossy scales
- Bands of red, black, and white or pale yellow encircle the body
- Red bands are often narrower than in some eastern milk snake subspecies
- Smooth head, not distinct from neck; round pupils
- Similar to venomous coral snakes but lacks the red-touches-yellow banding pattern found in true coral snakes within their range
Habitat & range
Found in rocky canyons, high desert, grasslands, and semi-arid scrub across the Colorado Plateau and surrounding regions, often at moderate elevations. Uses rock crevices, talus slopes, and burrows for shelter.
Behavior, diet & reproduction
Primarily nocturnal or crepuscular, especially active on warm nights. A powerful constrictor that preys on small rodents, lizards, and other snakes. Lays eggs in early-to-mid summer, hidden in moist underground cavities.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Utah milk snake venomous?
No, it is completely nonvenomous and relies on constriction to subdue prey.
How can you tell it apart from a coral snake?
In regions with coral snakes, the banding sequence differs; the milk snake's red bands touch black, not yellow.
Where does it live?
It inhabits rocky and arid landscapes of the intermountain western United States, particularly around Utah and Colorado.
Utah Milk Snake guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding Utah Milk Snake.
