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Milk Snake vs Red-sided Garter Snake

How does the Milk Snake compare to the Red-sided Garter Snake? They are both members of the Colubridae family. Below we put their classification, habitat, diet, size, and conservation status side by side — and settle who would win in a fight.

Milk Snake
Red-sided Garter Snake

Side-by-side comparison

Milk Snake
Red-sided Garter Snake
Scientific name
Lampropeltis triangulum
Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis
Classification
Reptile
Reptile
Family
Colubridae
Colubridae
Habitat
Forests, grasslands, rocky hillsides
Grasslands, prairies, forest edges, and wetlands
Diet
Carnivore
Carnivore
Conservation status
Least Concern
Least Concern
Lifespan
12-20 years
4-6 years in the wild
Weight
100-500 grams
50-150 grams

Milk Snake vs Red-sided Garter Snake: who would win?

Milk Snake

Milk Snake

100-500 grams

VS
Red-sided Garter Snake

Red-sided Garter Snake

50-150 grams

Milk Snake wins moderate confidence

Milk Snake is substantially heavier (100-500 grams vs 50-150 grams). In a physical confrontation that size and power advantage is usually decisive. In the wild these two rarely (if ever) meet — this is a what-if based on the size and diet we have on record, not a prediction.

Similarities

  • Both are reptiles.
  • Both belong to the Colubridae family.
  • Both have a carnivore diet.
  • Both are listed as Least Concern.

Differences

  • Habitat: Forests, grasslands, rocky hillsides vs Grasslands, prairies, forest edges, and wetlands.
  • Weight: 100-500 grams vs 50-150 grams.

Milk Snake vs Red-sided Garter Snake: FAQ

Who would win in a fight, a Milk Snake or a Red-sided Garter Snake?

Milk Snake wins. Milk Snake is substantially heavier (100-500 grams vs 50-150 grams). In a physical confrontation that size and power advantage is usually decisive. In the wild these two rarely (if ever) meet — this is a what-if based on the size and diet we have on record, not a prediction.

What is the difference between a Milk Snake and a Red-sided Garter Snake?

Milk Snake and Red-sided Garter Snake differ in several ways — habitat: forests, grasslands, rocky hillsides vs grasslands, prairies, forest edges, and wetlands. weight: 100-500 grams vs 50-150 grams.

Do Milk Snake and Red-sided Garter Snake live in the same habitat?

No — Milk Snake lives in forests, grasslands, rocky hillsides, while Red-sided Garter Snake is found in grasslands, prairies, forest edges, and wetlands.

What do Milk Snake and Red-sided Garter Snake eat?

Both Milk Snake and Red-sided Garter Snake have a carnivore diet.

Which is more endangered, the Milk Snake or the Red-sided Garter Snake?

Milk Snake is listed as Least Concern, while Red-sided Garter Snake is listed as Least Concern.

How big are Milk Snake and Red-sided Garter Snake?

Milk Snake weighs around 100-500 grams, while Red-sided Garter Snake weighs around 50-150 grams.

Milk Snake

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Milk Snake

Red-sided Garter Snake

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Red-sided Garter Snake