Sinaloan Milksnake Care Sheet

From Exotic Pet Wiki Pedia

Contents 1 General 1.1 Latin Name: 1.2 Description: 1.3 Size: 1.4 Longevity: 1.5 Active during: 1.6 Behaviour: 1.7 Temperament 1.8 Ease of care 2 Housing 2.1 Vivarium: 2.2 Accessories: 2.3 Humidity 2.4 Heating 2.5 Light 2.6 Substrate 3 Diet: 3.1 Food 3.2 Water 3.3 Frequency 3.4 Supplements 4 Breeding 4.1 Requirements 4.2 Seasons 4.3 Incubation 5 Further information or considerations:

General

Latin Name:

Lampropeltis triangulum sinaloae

Description:

The Sinaloan milksnake is a bright red snake with 12 or 13 bands of two black bars with cream, white or yellow in the middle. They have a black head, and black eyes. Several morphs are available.

Size:

The Sinaloan Milksnake averages at 36 - 48" in length.

Longevity:

Conservative estimates state 10 to 15 years but there are reports of colubrids exceeding 30 years in captivity.

Active during:

Primarily nocturnal but is an active snake and can often be seen during the day.

Behaviour:

This snake is often fast, agile and often active. Due to it's agility and slender body, it may well utilise many climbing apparatus and should be given ample excercise opportunities.

Temperament

They are not usually aggressive or biters, but can musk and rattle their tail in warning and defense. If handled frequently, these will calm down.

Ease of care

These are a good beginners species, hardy and basic to care for.

Housing

Vivarium:

Depending on the size of the snake, anything between a 24 and 36" vivarium is suitable. It is recommended that height and depth be a minimum of 15", but 18" will provide a more considerate space.

Accessories:

Provide hiding areas such as caves, fake plants, branches or hollows in the hot and cold side of the tank. Provide ample decor and climbing apparatus where possible.

Humidity

There are no special humidity requirements.

Heating

A heating source should be provided that is thermostatically controlled to provide an ambient of 75 - 88 F.

Light

No lighting is required. A small basking spot can be provided to increase daytime temperatures. This should be well guarded so the snake does not receive burns from it.

Substrate

Paper towel or newspaper can be used for ease of cleaning. For a more natural vivarium, aspen or bark chips are recommended.

Diet:

Food

Feeds readily on defrost rodents. These snakes are not known to be fussy feeders.

Water

Provide a medium sized bowl of fresh water at all times.

Frequency

Feed once per 5-7 days as hatchlings and 7-10 days as adults.

Supplements

No supplements are necessary.

Breeding

Requirements

Females should be at least 3 years old and males at least 2 years old. Females should be of good body weight and tone, and feeding well. They should be supervised whilst enclosed together, as this species is part of the king snake family and can be cannibalistic. Courtship in the way of jerking and dancing may ensue for several hours, or even days, before copulation occurs. Mating should be repeated to ensure fertilisation.

Colubrids can be brumated to increase fertility but there is debate as to whether this is strictly necessary.

Seasons

Mating in early spring.

Incubation

56-66 days at 84-88 degrees F.

Further information or considerations:

It is important to remember that milk snakes are part of the king snake family, and as such, it is possible that in the wild they would feed on other snakes as prey. In captivity, it is strongly recommended to remove this risk of cannibalisation by keeping these snakes enclosed seperate, except for monitored breeding activities.