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The milk snake is a member of the kingsnake species. This common constrictor is well-known for their vivid colors and beautiful markings. Also known as the Lampropeltis triangulum, the milk snake can be found in many parts of North and South America, including the United States, Mexico, and Colombia.
As a carnivore, the milk snake prefers a particular diet in the wild, such as common insects, reptiles, birds, and rodents. Under human care, you can feed them frozen mice and rats.
Read on below to learn more about milk snakes, their dietary needs, and the differences between what they eat in the wild and as pets.
The Milk Snake’s Diet in the Wild
Like most other snakes, the adult milk snake’s diet consists of primarily terrestrial vertebrae. Terrestrial vertebrates are small animals with a backbone. Their preference for these types of mammals is one of the main reasons you’ll find milk snakes living in marshes where they can feed on frogs and reptiles or near farms where rodents are common.
Milk snakes are adaptable and can make the most of their environment. No matter the area, they can find small prey to ensure they stay fed. In wet areas, milk snakes enjoy a feast of frogs, lizards, and fish. Due to their natural ability to survive near the water, they thrive in areas where other snakes struggle to survive.
In dry areas, the milk snake seeks out small rodents. Mice, rats, and voles make excellent meals for a milk snake in the wild. Sometimes, the milk snake may even eat birds or their eggs.
Young milk snakes, known as hatchlings, depend on mostly invertebrate animals to help them grow. Various types of insects, crickets, slugs, and earthworms are among their favorites. A milk snake is a carnivore, and it isn’t uncommon for hatchlings to eat other small snakes, even their species.
- See Also: Snakes That Give Live Birth Like Mammals
The Hunting Techniques of the Milk Snake
In the wild, milk snakes are very capable hunters. Unlike most snakes, which ambush their prey, the milk snake enjoys active hunts. When on the hunt, they follow the scent of their prey, and when they locate it, they bite it several times. Once injured, this constrictor wraps itself around the animal in question, attempting to halt the flow of blood. When the heart stops, the milk snake swallows its prey whole.
- See Also: Do Snakes Like Being Pet?
The Milk Snake’s Diet as Pets
Please note that many states and jurisdictions may have legislation that prohibits owning, breeding, purchasing, or selling snakes. Always make sure you have permission to legally own an exotic pet before deciding to adopt one. If you are in the US, please refer to state laws before deciding to adopt an exotic pet. Elsewhere, refer to the relevant laws where you reside.
Capturing wild animals to keep as pets is not advised since it disrupts local ecosystems. Likewise, releasing exotic wild pets back into the wild is not advised and is illegal. Snakes are a long-term commitment and are generally not considered safe around children.
They are also not compatible with other pets, including cats, dogs, birds, rabbits, and other exotic animals. They are opportunistic hunters who may attempt to strike or constrict anything they perceive as a meal, including their handlers.
The milk snake is a popular pet among snake enthusiasts. Their bright coloring, easy care, and calm nature make them a great option for new pet owners or those with years of snake care under their belts.
When caring for a milk snake, you may find it easier to feed them what is available instead of what they would commonly eat in the wild. In most cases, this consists of frozen rats and mice.
Feeding Your Milk Snake
The size of your milk snake’s meal depends on the size of your snake. If you are feeding an adult snake, large meals are good, but avoid going too large. When choosing the perfect meal, keep the largest size of your snake’s body in mind (usually their head). If the prey offered is bigger than the largest part of your snake’s body, digestion issues may occur.
Digestion is a slow process for most snakes, and oversized meals can only prolong the process and make it uncomfortable for your pet. Another important consideration to keep in mind when feeding a pet milk snake is age. Younger milk snakes should be fed more often (every 2–3 days). This will help them get the needed requirements to grow properly. Adults should be fed once per 5–7 days.
When feeding a hatchling, go with a smaller, defrosted mouse, which is an easily digested meal to keep your new pet happy. Closely monitor your hatchling, especially if you are new to the world of snake ownership. Please note that newborn snakes don’t actively eat until they are about 2 weeks old and use the time to instinctively seek a hiding place away from other predators (including larger milk snakes).
Adult snakes can eat larger meals to sustain them longer. Feeding an adult snake every 2 weeks is a great way to ensure they meet their dietary requirements. If you use larger rats, ensure they’re not too big for your snake. Oversized meals, no matter a snake’s age, can cause regurgitation.
With the docile nature of the milk snake, bites during feeding aren’t something you should fear. To ensure your snake doesn’t bite, simply follow the proper care techniques.
- Wear gloves when feeding.
- Use another enclosure for feedings.
- Do not feed your snake immediately after bringing them home.
- Use an appropriate feeding tool (such as tongs) and not your hand.
Following these care techniques when feeding will help you avoid bites. It is also important that your milk snake does not associate seeing your hand with feeding time. For this reason, a feeding device is recommended.
Do Milk Snakes Make Good Pets?
The milk snake has a gentle disposition and is available in a variety of colors. In addition, they are not venomous to humans. They’re also not a noise nuisance. However, snakes, in general, are not hands-on pets and are not considered pets that appreciate frequent handling.
They’re usually kept for observation purposes only, and interaction with pet snakes is usually kept to a minimum. Therefore, they aren’t considered the best pets for children or those who seek more interaction with their pets.
- Related Read: Types of Milk Snakes That Make Great Pets
Conclusion
As you can see, there is quite a difference in the eating habits of pet milk snakes and those surviving in the wild. If you choose to have a milk snake as a pet, it is important to keep these differences in mind. Yes, your snake is a natural-born hunter, but life in an enclosure may make it more difficult to stalk and interact with their prey. Keep your snake fed properly and on schedule to help them thrive just as they would in their natural habitat.
Featured Image Credit: dwi putra stock, Shutterstock
