ISO Shelter from the Cold: Milk Snake



Milk snake. J. Schaeffer

 A young milk snake (Lampropeltis triangulum) surprised us this chilly morning at the threshold of the back door to the nature center.  Milk snakes are usually secretive and nocturnal animals, so its arrival was something special.   Like the young black snake last week, it must have been looking for a warm place to spend the winter.  Snakes, and other cold-blooded animals, derive their heat from the air around them and cannot manufacture heat as we do; so when the air's cold, they're cold.  In fall, they seek a safe hibernaculum, usually underground, and spend the winter in a chilly and dormant state.

Why are they called milk snakes?  The myth is that they can suck milk from a cow's udder.  In reality, they may be found in barns with dairy cows, but they are hunting and eating mice and other small mammals which may also call the barn home.  Besides small mammals, milk snakes also eat a variety of prey items including other snakes, birds, eggs, frogs, insects, fish and earth worms.

Thanks to Oliver and Sophie, and their very startled mom, for noticing this, the perfect conclusion to the Nature, Mom and Me class.  We enjoyed its visit, but the snake was returned to that chilly world where it thrives.