Name: Wildlife Wonderings -- Pueblan Milksnake
Start: 2026-02-04T12:00:00-06:00
Location: 20634 Kenswick Dr, Humble, TX, United States, Texas 77338

Wildlife Wonderings -- Pueblan Milksnake
As February ushers in the last month of winter, it is a reminder that color will soon be returning to Jesse Jones Park. An ectothermic preview of this can be seen in one of our newest residents, “Milkshake the Milksnake,”our Pueblan Milksnake (Lampropeltis triangulum campbelli). Milksnakes are a type of Kingsnake, one of the more beloved snake species.
And, they are quite attractive. The Pueblan Milksnake has a tri-color pattern of red, black, and white bands. Adult Pueblan Milksnakes reach lengths of 24 to 36 inches. The Pueblan Milksnake has a resemblance to the Coralsnake and this similarity in color, known as Batesian mimicry, helps protect the snake from potential predators. They can be distinguished from other subspecies due to wide white bands, and frequent black tipping over the red bands. Also, the red tends to be especially vibrant and bright compared to other subspecies. Non-morph Pueblan Milksnakes always have pure white coloration on their light bands, save for some black speckling.
Will you encounter one of these in Jesse Jones Park? Sady, no, unless you are in the Nature Center. The Pueblan Milksnake is found in southern Puebla, eastern Morelos and northern Oaxaca, Mexico. However, from time to time, you may encounter its close relative, the Louisiana Milksnake in Jesse Jones Park.
Pueblan Milksnakes are crepuscular, meaning they are most active at dawn and dusk. They tend to be flighty and nervous when disturbed by humans. They rarely bite unless provoked a large amount.
These snakes will feed on anything they can overpower. They will consume prey such as mice, rats, birds, lizards, frogs, and other snakes, including venomous snakes.
Pueblan Milksnakes brumate for a period of 3–4 months from November through early March emerging to mate at the end of this time period. Females are triggered in this way to ovulate and produce a pheromone trail which the males follow. Pueblan Milksnakes are oviparous and lay a clutch of eggs. The female lays 2-15 eggs 30 days after mating. The juveniles hatch 2 months (55–60 days) later.
To learn more about Pueblan Milksankes and the meet “Milkshake the Milksnake” in person, come to the Nature Center at 12 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 4. This program is free of charge and open to colorful constrictor enthusiasts of all ages.