![]() It can be an effective defensive strategy, but has caused milk snakes other problems. "This type of mimicry, where a harmless species mimics a harmful species, is known as Batesian mimicry," said Heyborne. Nonvenomous milk snakes evolved to look like these venomous species in order to scare predators. They are often confused with copperheads and coral snakes because they all have bright, blotchy coloration. "Milk snakes are well known for their use of mimicry as a defensive strategy," Heyborne said. Like many nonvenomous snakes, milk snakes have round pupils, according to PA. Milk snakes are sexually alike, meaning that males and females grow to the same length and have the same coloration and patterns. Milk snakes have between 19 and 23 rows of scales, which are smooth. Milk snakes in the United States and Canada don't grow beyond 51 inches (129 cm). The longest snakes are found in Central and South America. Milk snakes range from 14 to 69 inches (35.5 to 175 centimeters) long, according to ADW. Many milk snakes have a light-colored Y or V shape on their necks. The lighter area separating the colorful bands can be white, yellow or orange. "These bands can vary in color from white to red to black, and alternating bands of differing colors are common," he said. The appearance and coloration of milk snakes varies somewhat among the 24 subspecies, but all have banded coloration, said Heyborne. ![]()
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