MILK SNAKE  

• There are a few commonly kept species of Milk Snakes such as Hondurans, Sinaloans and Nelsons.
• Milk Snakes are primarily terrestrial meaning they spend most of their time on the ground.
• Milk Snakes are typically very bright in coloration making them a popular choice among hobbyists.
• Adults range from 4-6 feet with an average life span of 20-25 years.

Diet

Like most snakes, Milk Snakes will eat once every 7-10 days. They should be fed prey items that are roughly the size of the widest part of their body or slightly larger. It is best to feed them 1 appropriate sized prey item instead of multiple smaller prey items.

If possible, all snakes should be fed frozen prey items to avoid injury to them that is associated with feeding live prey.

A dish of fresh water should be available at all times.

Housing  

Milk Snakes are a medium sized snake and adults will require a 20-40 gallon cage depending on the individual’s adult size. Babies and juveniles will require a smaller cage for starters. If they are kept in too large of an enclosure they will often become stressed and go off of feeding.

There should be enough decorations provided to give the snake adequate cover. A few small decorations and a couple hide spots are sufficient. Be sure no cage furniture can shift, or fall, and injure your snake. There should be a hiding spot directly under the basking bulb and one on the cool side. Cypress mulch is the best choice for substrate but other bark based beddings may work as well.

Temperatures should be in between 82 - 88º F on the warm side and mid 70’sº F on the cool side in order to provide a proper thermal gradient. Night temperatures can drop in the low 70’s and supplemental heat is not needed. If room temperature is below 70 º F at night a low wattage (about 50 watts) infrared or black night bulb can be used.

Handling & Care

Young Milk Snakes are generally very flighty and fast moving but do not often bite. With regular handling they will typically become more docile. Milk Snakes are hardy and gentle but may difficult to hold for someone with little experience. Babies should not be handled for more than 20-30 minutes per day but this can be increased with age. Never handle any snake for 1-2 days after feeding as it can upset their stomach and cause them to regurgitate their meal.

Spot cleaning by removing feces once a week will ensure a healthy, clean environment. Bedding should be thrown away and the entire cage and decorations wiped clean once every few months.

Always wash your hands with anti-bacterial soap after handling any animal.

Health

Respiratory distress can occur if the cage temperature changes radically, if temperatures are too low and/or if humidity is high and the cage is damp. Mouth rot (infectious stomatitis) can occur if a respiratory infection goes un-treated, the mouth lining is injured, if a struggling rodent being constricted bites the snake, or if the snake's teeth are broken.