Milk Snake not Harmful

The Milk Snake is often mistaken for the Massassauga Rattler or another venomous snake called the Copperhead - a venomous snake which does not inhabit any part of Ontario.

In the past I have also discussed the fox snake and the Northern Water Snake and their difficulties with being wrongly identified as venomous snakes.

In this article I'm looking at the Eastern Milk Snake which has just as bad an identity crises as the Fox or Northern Water Snake.

The Milk Snake did not come about its name because it milks cows .

It actually got its name because it is often found in barns searching for mice where cows are usually kept. Consequently, and I kid you not, according to folklore, some dim bulb actually thought that because these snakes were so prolific in and around barns, they must surely either be attracted to the milk, or actually be milking the cows - hence the name - Milk Snake.

You've really got to wonder what was in this guy's morning coffee to come to a conclusion like that!  Anyway, this myth is of course foolish superstition, but nontheless the rumour took hold and is no doubt many, many years old, possibly from the mid 1700's.

Luckily, most people these days don't believe such nonsense. However, due to this snake's markings, it is often mistaken for a Massassauga Rattler or young Copperhead. Not only because of its skin pattern, but also because it too, like the Fox Snake, can vibrate its tail if frightened. This snake is non- venomous though and has no rattle at the end of its tail. Only ONE snake in Ontario has a segmented tail and it is the Massassauga Rattler. All other snakes in Ontario have a pointed tail.

The Milk Snake has often been mis-identified as venomous. Likewise, the Fox Snake has often been wrongly labeled as a Copperhead due to its vibrant coloration. If you were to ask someone who studies snakes, what the Eastern Milk Snake most closely resembles, they would surely say the Massassauga Rattle Snake, just as the Fox Snake, to some, might closely resemble the Copperhead or possibly even a Coral Snake to a very confused individual. Although the Coral Snake's venom is quite toxic, there's no need to worry about this snake species in Canada because it only inhabits tropical forests and jungles.

The Milk Snake has a relatively slim body with its centre diameter remaining constant throughout pretty much its entire length. The head is short and broad and blends in almost completely with the neck. It can attain a length of about three and one half feet, but are usually shorter.

It's colour varies from medium grey to pale grey or brown or creamish.

Its back scales consist of a continuous pattern of circles which are wider than they are long, thus the reason for the confusion between the Milk Snake and the Massassauga Rattle Snake. These circles extend the entire length of the snake's body.

Smaller, rounder blotches (circles) run along each of its sides. The circles all have black borders with the circles themselves being reddish brown, tan, maroon or olive green.

Its habitat is patchy woods, clearings, fields and farming areas.  Eastern Milk Snakes also appear to enjoy the warmth of hay bales and will enter them on cool nights to stay warm.

These snakes are very beneficial in helping to keep nature's balance in check. The Milk Snake does this by consuming large numbers of mice which make up for more than 70 per cent of its diet. Interestingly, research has found that they also eat other snakes including very young Massassauga Rattlers.

The young hatch from eggs laid in June or July, usually in rotting logs or wood piles, leaves and manure piles. This snake can be found in all of southern Ontario where habitat is suitable, to as far north as the Algoma and Sudbury area.

If you happen across this rather beautifully patterned reptile, remember that it is harmless to humans and extremely efficient in helping to control mouse populations.