Well the biggest diff will be size the Black milk is the largest of the milksnake Sub species mine is 2 y/o and only about 5 1/2' long both his parents are over 7 ft long the female is nearly 8'. They are good eaters and take to handling well. They start out banded and turn solid by 2 years of age. Mine is a pig and takes down a Med Rat once a week.