Milksnake

Milksnakes are a subspecies of the Kingsnake. Legend has it that the snakes would slither into barns at night, curl around the legs of milk cows, and sup on their milk straight from the udder. And so they were named. Of course this isn’t true, it’s barely believable, but the name stuck.

Milk snakes are native in southern parts of Canada, throughout the U.S., and Central and South America. These snakes are beautiful, docile, and nonvenomous. Milk snakes are a subspecies of 45 kinds of kingsnake; there are 25 subspecies of milk snakes alone. These snakes are easy to keep and are a good beginner snake. They vary significantly in size, color, and patterns. Many subspecies have striking, beautiful patterns, including some that have a natural defense of mimicking the red, black, and yellow color banding of venomous coral snakes.

Housing Your Milk Snake

A secure cage is vitally important. Kingsnakes are notorious for testing their enclosures and escaping from the smallest of spaces. The enclosure will require a securely latched top. These snakes can sneak through tiny gaps that seem too small. Leave no possible gaps, holes, or thin breaks in the cage top.

Milk snakes should be kept solitary. It might eat other cage mates.

Hatchlings or the smaller New Mexico milk snake can live in a 10-gallon aquarium tank. However, medium-sized (36 inches) adult snakes need a 20-gallon tank, and larger, full-grown snakes (60 inches) would thrive in a larger enclosure, such as a 60-gallon tank. Milk snakes are quite active and need the room. Snakes that have the room to stretch may also have a reduced incidence of respiratory infections.

Several hiding spots should be provided: Half rounds of bark, commercial rock hides, overturned flower pots, half coconut shells, and even cardboard boxes can be used. To give the cage a naturalistic feel, you can include rocks and branches in the cage.

You will need to clean the cage entirely at least every 6 months. In between these overhauls, spot clean or scoop out feces, and clean the water bowl every day.

Food and Water

Milk snakes are fed mice or baby rats. As a general rule, feed the snake the size of a mouse that is roughly equal to the width of the snake at its widest part (excluding the head). Feed hatchlings and juveniles (subadult) twice a week. Adults can be fed adult mice (or weanling rats) once a week. If the snake is too lean (body not rounded, can see ribs or backbone) feed twice a week. Many king and milk snakes tend to eat less in the fall and winter.

As with other pet snakes, feed pre-killed mice (usually frozen from a pet supply source) to ensure that the prey cannot injure the snake. Thaw frozen mice to room temperature and feed in a separate feeding cage (with no substrate) or their cage if it has a safe flooring.

Since snakes often defecate in the water, clean out the dish daily, and refresh with fresh, filtered water.

Common Health Problems

The biggest threat to a pet milksnake is a respiratory infection. These snakes can get colds or pneumonia, which is often caused by a problem with the temperature in the cage. Symptoms can include bubbling or gurgling at the mouth, gasping, or mucus around the nose.

If you notice regurgitated food items in the cage, it can be caused by handling the snake too soon after feeding. It is not necessarily a sign of illness, although it can be. Other reasons for regurgitated food: The food offered was too large, or the enclosure is too cool. If regurgitation recurs, take the snake to an exotics veterinarian.

Here are several of the most easily found and popular varieties of Milksnake. This is a nonvenomous, typically docile species that is perfect for beginners.

Black Milksnake

The Black Milksnake is a large variety, growing to about 4 to 6 feet in length. As a hatchling, it is either red, black, and white, or yellow in color. Its color gradually changes, becoming covered with dark pigments until it has turned a blackish brown or entirely black. Adults of this variety can be nervous, so take care when first picking one up.

Central Plains Milksnake

A smaller species of Milksnake, the Central Plains Milksnake grows to be just 2 feet long at most. The coloring is usually red, black, and yellowish white with very narrow banding. Even adults of this variety may only be able to eat pinky mice when full grown.

Eastern Milksnake

This snake is quite common in the United States and can grow from 2 to 4 feet in length. It takes on a gray and reddish brown coloring with a spotted pattern. Most snakes of this species have a brown arrowhead or spearpoint pattern on top of their head, similar to a cornsnake. The Eastern milk is easy to care for and is great for beginners.

Red Milksnake

These are one of the most widely-distributed Milksnakes. Unlike other Milks, its red is restricted to wide saddles on the center of its back, outlined by narrow black lines. The head is mostly red, with a black and white snout, making this one of the most distinctive of the Milksnakes. It grows in excess of 3 feet in length and is a hearty eater, oftentimes feeding on full sized mice as soon as it hatches.