In this article, we look at some facts about Eastern Milk Snake eggs, and the babies that hatch from them. They’re great to have around for free pest control…
Last updated on February 1st, 2023 at 09:22 am
Eastern milk snakes (Lampropeltis Triangulum) are oviparous, meaning that they lay eggs rather than give live birth. The eggs arrive in the late spring or early summer, and a single clutch can contain anywhere from 4 to 25 eggs. Often, the hatchlings emerge in late August or early September.
Eastern milk snakes are non-venomous, and they play an important role as predators in their ecosystem, preying on small rodents and other small animals.
So, if you see a Milk with its eggs on your property – you can celebrate the fact you’ll soon have a bunch of little helpers to take care of any pests…
What do baby eastern milk snakes eat?
Baby eastern milk snakes eat a variety of small animals. As they grow larger, they may also eat small mammals and reptiles. Overall, the best prey items for baby Milk Snakes are bugs and other baby snakes, such as baby DeKay’s Snakes (Storeria dekayi).
Baby Eastern Milk Snakes are small, even compared to Corn Snakes, so they don’t tackle larger prey until they’re older.
Once a little larger, these snakes eat many animals including:
- Large invertebrates such as insects and worms
- Small mammals like mice and voles
- Birds and their eggs
- Lizards, including Skinks
- Other snakes, both venomous and non-venomous
- Amphibians like frogs and salamanders
What do milk snake eggs look like?
Milk snake eggs are elongated and leathery, other than that they are similar in appearance to bird eggs. They are usually white or off-white and measure about 1 to 1.5 inch in length and 0.5 – 0.8 inches in diameter.
They are often laid in clutches of 8–12 eggs and are usually laid in underground burrows or hidden crevices. This kind of number is average, but occasionally clutches with as few as 4 or as many as 25 eggs are found.
Eastern milk snake bite
The bite of an Eastern milk snake is not venomous and is harmless to humans in most cases. However, if bitten, it is advisable to wash the area with soap and water.
It is vital to seek medical attention if any signs of infection occur. They are not aggressive snakes and will only bite as a last resort, usually when they feel threatened.
Most of the time they will rather try to flee, or musk (void the contents of their cloaca). It’s pretty unusual for them to pluck up the courage to bite you. If you do get bitten, it’s pretty uneventful, and feels like very light scratches.
It’s also important to note that you should never handle wild snakes, as it may be difficult to tell whether it is a milk snake or a venomous species.
How big are milk snake eggs?
Milk snake eggs are actually quite small. They are white or off-white in most cases and measure roughly 1 inch in length and 0.5 inches in diameter, give or take.
They are often laid in clutches of 8–12 eggs, and the egg-laying happens in underground burrows or hidden crevices. I once found a clutch in a crack under a cement driveway, for example.
If handy man-made egg laying crevices aren’t available, these snakes often opt for vacated rodent burrows or rotten logs as places to deposit their eggs.
The eggs will hatch after about 2 to 3 months, and the hatchlings will measure between 7 and 10 inches (18 – 25 cm) in total length.
Are milk snakes poisonous?
No, milk snakes are not poisonous. They are non-venomous and harmless to humans in most cases.
They are a species of colubrid snakes, which means they have long, slender bodies and small heads. Furthermore, they have a docile nature and are not a threat to humans.
However, as with any wild animal, it’s best to avoid handling them without proper knowledge and safety tools. It is better to observe them from a safe distance.
Are Eastern milk snakes aggressive?
Eastern milk snakes are not aggressive in most cases. They are non-venomous and docile.
They will usually try to flee or just sit still and hope you don’t notice them, rather than bite. However, like any wild animal, they may bite if they feel any threat.
They are not dangerous to humans, but it’s best to avoid handling them, as with any wild animal. If you do happen to come across one, it’s best to observe it from a safe distance.
Are milk snakes poisonous to dogs?
Milk snakes are not poisonous to dogs, and they do not produce venom that can harm them. However, if a dog is bitten by a milk snake, it is important to clean the bite wound with soap and water, even if it is barely a scratch.
It is important to keep an eye on the dog for signs of infection. Keep in mind that dogs should not be allowed to play with wild snakes, as this can be dangerous for both the dog and the snake.
Can you feed a Milk Snake eggs?
Yes, it is possible to feed eggs to milk snakes. Milk snakes are opportunistic feeders and will eat a variety of prey items in the wild including small mammals, birds, lizards, and eggs.
Feeding eggs to milk snakes can be a good way to provide them with the necessary nutrients they need. However, it’s important to make sure the eggs are fresh and safe to eat and to provide a varied diet.
Most keepers also use pre-killed or pre-frozen mice to feed their Milk Snakes. It’s also important to note that the size of the prey should be appropriate for the size of the snake. For this species, I give prey items just slightly thicker than the thickest part of the snake’s body.
Do milk snakes bite hurt?
A milk snake bite is not venomous and is not dangerous to humans in most cases. However, a milk snake bite may cause some little scratches, kind of like getting your finger caught on a bramble.
Although milk snakes are not aggressive in most cases, they may bite if they feel they are under threat or stress. It’s important to remember that you should never handle wild snakes, as it may be difficult to tell whether it is a milk snake or a venomous species.
If you are bitten, it’s best to wash the bite area with soap & water. You should immediately seek medical attention if any signs of infection occur.
Do snakes feel love?
Snakes, like all animals, have complex behaviors and emotions. However, the concept of love as it is commonly understood in humans is not something that has been observed in snakes.
They do not form the same social bonds or relationships as humans or other animals do. They are solitary creatures and do not form pair bonds, and neither do they have the capacity for romantic love.
Furthermore, they do not have the same emotional complexity as humans or other mammals. They have been observed to have a set of instinctual behaviors that are driven by survival, reproduction, and self-preservation.
So, a Milk Snake will defend its eggs if you interrupt it while laying them, but it’s likely it will do so based on its instinct to promote the survival of its offspring – not because it loves its babies.
Can a milk snake kill you?
A milk snake is non-venomous and poses no significant threat to humans. They are not dangerous and are considered harmless.
They cannot kill a human being, as their bite is not venomous. While being bitten by a snake is not pleasant, it is not considered dangerous and is not likely to cause serious harm to a healthy adult.
Overall, it’s important to remember that Milk Snakes are hugely benefical. Where they occur in good numbers, they do a lot to control the local rodent population.
If you live in a rural or agricultural area especially, you should never harm a Milk Snake! Doing so will literally cost local farmers money down the line.
Milk snake teeth
Milk snakes have small, needle-like teeth that are great for grasping and holding onto prey. They have a total of about 20–25 teeth in the upper jaw and 15–20 teeth in the lower jaw.
Their teeth are not venomous and are not capable of delivering a venomous bite to humans or other animals. They are designed to hold onto prey and to tear into flesh, rather than to inject venom.
The teeth of milk snakes are located at the front of the jaw, which allows them to easily capture prey and bite it. They are also able to swallow prey whole, and the prey is then digested in the stomach.
The teeth of milk snakes are sharp and small, and they are replaced periodically throughout their life.
All you need to know about Eastern Milk Snake eggs: summary
| Eggs | Hatchlings |
|---|---|
| Eastern milk snakes lay eggs in a humid location | Eastern milk snake hatchlings are around 8-10 inches in length |
| The eggs are typically laid in the late spring or early summer | Eastern milk snake hatchlings have similar coloring and patterns as adults |
| Clutch size can range from 4-18 eggs | Eastern milk snake hatchlings are independent and able to hunt on their own |
| The eggs are typically oval shaped and are around 1 to 1.5 inches long | Eastern milk snake hatchlings are not venomous |
| The eggs are incubated for approximately 6-8 weeks before hatching | Eastern milk snake hatchlings absorb all their yolk before hatching, and this provides nourishment until their first meal |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) relating to eastern milk snake eggs
How often does a milk snake lay eggs?
The frequency of egg-laying for milk snakes can vary depending on the species and the specific conditions in which they are living. Some species of milk snakes lay eggs annually, typically in the spring or early summer, while others may lay eggs every other year.
Some species that live in areas with harsher conditions may also only reproduce once every few years. The timing of egg-laying also varies depending on the location and the climate.
For example, species living in warmer climates may lay eggs earlier in the season than those living in cooler climates. Additionally, the number of eggs laid can also vary depending on the species and the size of the snake.
Clutches can range from 4 to 12 eggs, with some species laying only 4 eggs, and others up to 25.
What month do snake eggs hatch?
The month that snake eggs hatch can vary depending on the species of snake and the climate in which they live. Typically, snake eggs take around 6–10 weeks to hatch, but this can be affected by temperature and humidity. In the US, you often start to see baby snakes around in late August or early September.
In warmer climates, eggs may hatch earlier, while in cooler climates, hatching may be delayed.
Do snakes stay with their eggs after they lay them?
It depends on the species of snake. Some snakes, such as pythons and boas, will stay with their eggs – providing protection & warmth until they hatch. Other snakes, such as Milk Snakes, Corn Snakes and some pitvipers, will lay their eggs and then leave them. They do not provide any care for their eggs or young.
Some species of snakes will guard the eggs against predators and will even coil around the eggs to keep them warm. They will stay with the eggs until they hatch, and in some cases, even for a few days after hatching.
Typically, oviparous snakes do not provide care for their eggs or young, as they are solitary animals. Once they lay eggs they move on and usually do not return to them.
What month do snakes lay eggs?
The month that snakes lay eggs can vary depending on the species of snake and the climate in which they live. Typically, snakes in the northern hemisphere lay their eggs during the warmer months of the year, between spring and early summer.
Key Takeaways
- Eastern milk snakes are oviparous.
- These snakes are non-venomous.
- They prey on small rodents and other small animals.
- They are non-venomous and harmless to humans in most cases.
- Milk snakes have small, needle-like teeth.
