Handle your milk snake gently and deliberately taking care not to drop or injure the animal. Many milk snakes will become more tolerant and accustomed to handling as they become older. Also be sure to wash your hands after handling any reptiles.
These snakes are good for beginners as they are relatively docile and respond quickly to gentle and consistent handling. Although they should not be handled right after eating (wait 48 hours) most other times will suit them. Periods of shedding and brumation (discussed below) should also hands-off times, however.
Understanding that the milksnake is non-venomous is important. If startled or cornered, this snake may strike in self defense; however, no snake will deliberately attack a human.
Milksnakes—like all Montana snake species except the prairie rattlesnake—are nonpoisonous and relatively passive. They act aggressively only if they feel threatened. Like so many snake species, the milksnake is an efficient rodent and insect hunter that helps keep the pests in check.
Milk snakes (Lampropeltis triangulum) are popular amongst novice and experienced snake owners alike. Their docile disposition, manageable size, and adaptability make them well suited to be kept as pets.
Let your snake become familiar with you by putting your hand in its cage. Don't try to grab it or even touch the snake. Just let your hand rest inside the snake's tank so it begins to become familiar with your scent and doesn't associate you with something trying to eat it.
Snakes do not tend to enjoy cuddling because they have evolved to be solitary creatures. It's unlikely that snakes respond to physical contact the way mammals and birds do.
Milk snakes are an exotic species from North America and are illegal to keep in Victoria as they can spread potentially devastating diseases to wildlife.
The eggs incubate for two to 2 1/2 months, and hatchlings emerge measuring 25 to 30 centimeters (10 to 12 inches). Milk snakes typically live about 15 years in the wild and possibly up to 20 years in human care.
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.
Size: Typically, adult milk snakes range in length from 24 to 36 inches. Color: In general, the milk snake has a light background with brown, rust, or other color spots. The markings have black outlines. A light gray Y- or V-shaped pattern is located on the back of the neck.
As they come to the shedding process, milk snakes enjoy bathing as it loosens the dead skin. This does not need to be large enough your snake to swim but just enough to submerge their entire body is preferred.
Snakes do not have eyelids, so cannot blink or close their eyes. Instead of eyelids, snakes have a small, clear scale covering each eye. Eye scales have a similar role to eyelids, protecting the eyes from injury and making sure the eyes don't dry out.
As hatchlings, milk snakes should be fed weekly on defrosted pinky mice, as the snake grows the food size should be increased until the snake is taking large mice or even jumbos. Adult milk snakes can be fed once every two weeks as they can become overweight if fed weekly.
Snakes can generally last around two months without food, however, wild snakes can go without fresh water for months or even weeks. Snakes in captivity shouldn't be restricted water intake for longer than a week.
They are hardy and quite docile, and usually tolerate handling well, making them a good pet. They usually reach 4-6 feet in length (depending on subspecies), and are actually members of the king snake family.
Snakes are most active when they're hunting for food, so your snake may be hungry. If not, it might be looking for a mate. This is most likely if your snake is male. Sudden activity in snakes can also be a sign that they're unhappy or stressed.
Children's Python. The first pet snake on our list is the children's python. Native to Australia, this nocturnal snake was named after scientist John George Children. The children's python is known for its small to medium size (two to four feet), slender body and tame personality.
The American corn snake is a prohibited invasive animal under the Biosecurity Act 2014. You must not keep, feed, move, give away, sell or release into the environment. Penalties may apply.
Snakes won't be receptive to your affection—they're wary animals who don't like being held, touched, petted, or passed around. It's stressful for them and puts them at risk of illness and injury, and because they don't whine or yelp, you may not realize that they're hurt. (See reason number 7.)
Snakes are able to recognise and distinguish between humans and may recognise the scent of their owner as familiar or positive with time. However, snakes are unable to view humans as companions so cannot form a bond with their owner like other pets can.
Snakes can absolutely develop a bond with their owners, but not the way a dog or a cat would. And this greatly depends on the species. Some snakes are just always going to be a little high-strung and bitey, others are far more easygoing and mellow.