First Complete Clutch Record for the Central Plains Milk Snake (Lampropeltis triangulum gentilis) in Kansas

Abstract

Iverson (1975) reported a female of the central plains milk snake (Lampropeltis triangulum gentilis) from Russell County, Kansas, which laid 5 eggs on 27 June 1972. Two of the 5 eggs hatched on 12-14 August, an incubation period of 46-48 days. The 2 hatchlings had total lengths of 215 and 235 mm. Iverson (1977) reported on another specimen of this snake, also from Russell County, Kansas, that laid 5 eggs on 29-30 June 1976. The 5 eggs hatched 42-44 days later. No measurements of the young were given. Smith (1977) reported a female of this snake which laid 4 eggs on 15 July 1976. Two of the 4 eggs hatched between 29 August and 1 September 1976, an incubation of 46-48 days. The two neonates had total lengths of 175 and 186 mm. Tennant (1984) listed a clutch number of 5 to 9, an incubation period of 65 days, and a total length range for neonates of 6 to 8'/2 inches (154 to 217 mm) for this subspecies. Fitch (1985) reported that this subspecies of the milk snake (based on Colorado and Nebraska specimens) had a clutch number of 4 to 12 (mean 5.5). In summary, the central plains milk snake has been reported throughout its range to have a clutch number of 4 to 12, an incubation period of 42 to 65 days, and total lengths at hatching of 154 to 235 mm. On 31 May 1987 a gravid female Lampropeltis triangulum gentilis was collected by Kelly J. Irwin in Section 21, T34S, R43W, Cimarron National Grasslands, Morton County, Kansas. The female deposited 4 eggs on 3 July 1987. The eggs were buried in 4 inches of moist sphagnum moss within a covered glass gallon jar. Temperature surrounding the jar was maintained between 85 and 880 F during incubation. On 4 September the 4 eggs hatched, an incubation time of 63 days. After hatching, the female parent (KU 208117) and four neonates (KU 208118-121) were sacrificed and measured. The female parent measured 533 mm total length (460 mm SVL). The single male and 3 female neonates had a total length range of 218 to 220 mm (mean 218.75) and an SVL range of 188 to 190 mm (mean 189.25).