The Louisiana milk snake (Lampropeltis triangulum amaura) is a subspecies of king snakes which lives throughout the state. This snake is one of the smallest king snakes in Louisiana. Louisiana milk snakes grow less than 2 feet as adults. Louisiana milk snakes have a red-black-white color pattern, giving it a similar appearance to the venomous coral snake. However, coral snakes have red-yellow-black pattern.
Mole king snakes (Lampropeltis calligaster) are found in eastern Louisiana. These snakes have a tan coloration with light brown splotches all over its body. The mole king snake's color fades as it grows older -- to the point where these snakes have no skin patterns. When mature, mole king snakes have an approximate length of 40 inches. Male mole king snakes have shorter tails than females. Mole king snakes are fossorial, meaning they spend most of their time underground.
Found throughout northern and eastern Louisiana, the prairie king snake (Lampropeltis calligaster calligaster) is a subspecies of the mole king snake. Like the mole king snake, the prairie king snake will spend much of its time below the earth's surface. Prairie king snakes live in semi-open forests and grasslands. Some prairie king snakes live in freshwater aquatic habitats. These reptiles reach lengths of 4.5 feet. Prairie king snakes have copper skin with brown splotches, similar to the venomous copperhead.
The Florida Museum of Natural History says the scarlet king snake (Lampropeltis elapsoides) is native to regions throughout the Southeast, including eastern Louisiana. Adult scarlet king snakes grow up to 20 inches, on average. Scarlet king snakes have bright red-black-yellow or white skin patterns, which makes it similar to the Louisiana king snake and coral snake. These snakes live in forest habitats.
In Louisiana, the speckled king snake (Lampropeltis getulua) occurs in all regions of the Pelican State. Speckled king snakes grow up to 4 feet, making it one of Louisiana's longest king snake species. Also known as the "salt-and-pepper" snake, the speckled king snake has a solid black body with yellow, orange and white spots all over its body. Younger speckled king snakes only have yellow spots on the side of their bodies. This king snake species dwell in forests and grassland habitats.