Animal of the Day #9

Today’s animal is... the Andean Milk Snake (Lampropeltis triangulum andediana)!!

The Andean milk snake is an alpine subspecies of milk snake found in the Andes mountains of Columbia and Venezuela. They live in high-altitude forests and grasslands, up to 9,000 feet in elevation. 

                (I could not find a map for the Andean milk snake)

Andean milk snakes can grow up to 6 feet in length and are one of the largest subspecies of milk snakes. They have red, black, and yellow stripes with black speckles.

Andean milk snakes are carnivorous and feed on small mammals, birds, eggs, amphibians, and other reptiles, including venomous snakes. They typically leave their dens in the afternoon or evening to hunt.

Some facts about the Andean milk snake:

• Andean milksnakes do not have an IUCN red list profile but are considered common.

• Andean milk snakes are popular pets and can live over 15 years in captivity.

• Like other milk snakes, Andean milk snakes mimic coral snakes.

     An Andean milk snake                   An adult Andean milk snake 

      hatchling being held                           in a terrarium

comment below if you have any animals you'd like to see in the future! :]