Keeping a Pet Milk Snake: Complete Care Guide

If you have decided to explore herpetology and keep pet snakes, the milk snake is an excellent beginner species to consider. Although less common than the corn snake in the UK, milk snakes are easy to buy from reputable breeders and straightforward to care for.

Milk snakes belong to the king snake family and can grow up to six feet, though most adult specimens range around thirty inches. They are visually striking, adorned with alternating red, white, and black rings that give them an exotic appearance. As constrictors and non-venomous creatures, milk snakes are generally safe for reptile enthusiasts. Various subspecies like the Pueblan and Honduran milk snakes share similar care needs, allowing them to be grouped together for husbandry advice.

How to care for a milk snake

Milk snakes are naturally shy and burrowing creatures. They thrive in enclosures with a deep substrate such as paper bedding, dry leaves, or mulch that remains dry; damp substrate should be avoided as it may cause health issues like skin blistering. Providing multiple hiding spots at both warmer and cooler ends of the tank helps your snake feel safe and choose its preferred resting place.

Moreover, milk snakes enjoy climbing. A suitably sized tank equipped with branches and decor for climbing enriches their environment and promotes natural behaviour. It’s crucial to secure the enclosure lid firmly since milk snakes are adept escape artists.

Temperature requirements vary slightly between subspecies, so research the particular type you have. Ensuring a proper temperature range and maintaining cleanliness by promptly removing faeces will support your snake’s health.

Importantly, milk snakes must be housed alone. They can exhibit cannibalistic tendencies when kept together, so companionship is not appropriate.

What do milk snakes eat?

In the wild, milk snakes feed on birds, eggs, small mammals like rodents, and occasionally smaller reptiles. Captive milk snakes can be fussy feeders, so once you find suitable prey, it’s best to maintain that diet.

Young milk snakes usually accept defrosted pinkie mice readily and should be fed every few days. Adults typically eat two full-sized mice or several pinkies weekly. Be mindful that prey size should not exceed 1.5 times the width of the snake’s body to prevent choking or internal injury.

After feeding, avoid handling your milk snake for at least 24 hours, as digestion is slow and handling may cause regurgitation.

Are milk snakes suitable for first-time keepers?

Milk snakes are well-suited for first-time reptile owners who are willing to research their needs thoroughly. They are known for their docile nature and generally quiet temperament. Although shy and prone to hiding, gentle, consistent handling from a young age can acclimatise them to human contact.

Be aware that nervous snakes might defecate when handled, but this is usually lessened by calm and safe handling routines. Defensive bites can occur if frightened, but milk snake bites are non-venomous and typically harmless.

Additional Tips for Responsible Milk Snake Ownership

• Purchase from reputable breeders to ensure healthy, captive-bred snakes and support ethical breeding practices.
• Regularly monitor your snake’s health and consult a qualified reptile vet for routine check-ups or if you observe any behavioural or physical changes.
• Maintain strict hygiene in the enclosure to prevent bacterial infections and other health issues.
• Always keep your milk snake’s escape attempts in mind and secure its habitat properly.

Keeping a pet milk snake can be a richly rewarding experience, offering a glimpse into the fascinating world of reptiles. With appropriate care, attention, and respect for their natural behaviors and needs, milk snakes thrive in captivity and make excellent companions for reptile enthusiasts.