Subspecies and Races
Some species of reptiles, such as the Milk Snake, look quite different in different regions. These different-looking reptiles of the same species are called subspecies or races. In the United States and Canada there are nine subspecies of Milk Snake.
Subspecies Names
The scientific name of a subspecies has three parts. The first part is the genus, the second is the species, and the third is the subspecies. The scientific name of the Eastern Milk Snake is Lampropeltis triangulum triangulum, and that of the Scarlet Kingsnake is Lampropeltis triangulum elapsoides.
Different—but Alike
One subspecies of Milk Snake, called the Eastern Milk Snake, is tan with brownish-red blotches, while another subspecies, called the Scarlet Kingsnake, has black, red, and yellow rings. These two subspecies of the Milk Snake look very different, but they can breed with each other and produce young.
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Eastern Milk Snake © Allen Blake Sheldon
Scarlet Kingsnake, a subspecies of the Milk Snake. © Allen Blake Sheldon
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© R. D. Bartlett
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What do these two snakes have in common? They are both the same species: The Speckled Kingsnake is on the left, the California Kingsnake is on the right.
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© Brian Kenney
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Reptile Races
Many reptiles besides Milk Snakes look different in different areas and have many subspecies. Other examples are the Common Kingsnake, Eastern Racer, Eastern Rat Snake, Ringneck Snake, Coachwhip, Common Garter Snake, Western Whiptail Lizard, Fence Lizard, Diamondback Terrapin, Eastern Box Turtle, and Painted Turtle.
© David M. Dennis
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The southern subspecies of Painted Turtle (left) has an orange stripe down its back. The western subspecies of Painted Turtle (right) does not have a back stripe.
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© William P. Leonard
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© R. W. Van Devender
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Western Whiptail Lizard subspecies: California (left) and Great Basin (right)
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© Karl H. Switak
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