The very darkest light bands will display: a bright yellow or orange-yellow color following the first light band adjacent to the black head, with the rest of the light banding being a lighter hue of either yellow, cream-yellow, or orange-yellow. Other milk snake subspecies may have darker light banding depending on the individual snake, however, and as described, the Mexican milk snake has a much higher prevalence of this trait, along with other distinctive features.
The most intense light bands will exhibit: a vibrant lemon or golden-yellow color following the first light band adjacent to the black head, with the remaining light banding being a lighter shade of either yellow, cream-yellow, or golden-yellow. Other milk snake subspecies may display darker light banding depending on the individual snake, but the Mexican milk snake has a higher prevalence of this trait, along with other distinctive characteristics.