These blotches are large and extend down on the sides almost to the ventral scales. This results in the reduction in the size and number of the lateral spots. The eastern milk snake was basically described in the description section. It is much more drab in coloration than the red milk snake and has smaller dorsal blotches which make the lateral spots larger and more numerous. These subspecies meet and intergrade heavily in eastern Iowa and surrounding areas.
Intergrade specimens share characteristics of both subspecies.
These intergrade snakes have a large amount of black on top of the head, a gray ground color, and orangish dorsal blotches. I would be interested in pictures from milk snakes from this area. A larger sample size is needed to determine the extent of these intergrades in northwestern Iowa. Range Milk snakes are found statewide in Iowa. The most pure eastern milk snakes can be found in northeastern Iowa, and the most pure red milks are found in the western half of Iowa.