Fearsome but harmless Ontario snake is often mistaken for venomous killing machine

A terrifying-looking snake can be found slithering about Ontario, striking fear into the hearts of people who cross its path. But despite its convincing warning signs like bright colouring and even a menacing mock tail rattle, the eastern milk snake is totally harmless.

The eastern milk snake, also known by its scientific name of Lampropeltis triangulum, is a nonvenomous species in the colubrid family. It is distributed from Ontario and Maine in the north to as far south as Florida, and is most often found in forested regions or areas of open woodland.

The species is one of the most commonly sighted in Ontario, with roughly 4,500 observations reported on biodiversity tracking website, iNaturalist.

Growing to an average of 60-90 centimetres — but sometimes in excess of 180cm — these snakes typically feed on mice, but have been known to eat a range of prey that even includes other snakes.

It can even prey on venomous snakes thanks to specialized venom-neutralizing properties it has evolved in its blood serum.

They are potent predators, but they are actually pretty chill around humans, and are even often kept as pets. And even if this little guy wanted to bite you, the eastern milk snake is known to have a small and fragile jaw structure, and probably wouldn't inflict any real damage on human flesh.

Instead of venom or a fatal bite, this predator neutralizes its prey through suffocation. As a constrictor — like the more famous boa — the eastern milk snake will wrap around its victim and quite literally squeeze the life out of it.

But it's the way the snake avoids predation itself that is truly fascinating.

The eastern milk snake is preyed on by mammals like raccoons, skunks, opossums, coyotes, and predatory birds like owls and hawks.

In an effort to deter these predators, the species has evolved a bright colour pattern that mimics the colouration of venomous species like the coral snake and copperhead — which, by association, scares the living heck out of many humans who encounter the totally harmless animal.

If this visual mimicry wasn't enough, the species has also been known to rapidly vibrate its tail in the same manner as a rattlesnake when threatened.

Now, I don't know about you, but if a bright red, yellow and black snake started vibrating its tail at me, I'd be making the quickest of exits.