Ferrets and Friends, LLC
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Who We Are
    • Our Staff
    • Join Our Team
    • Our Partnerships >
      • Pet Therapy
    • FAQ
  • Our Animal Friends
    • Our Mammals
    • Our Parrots
    • Our Lizards & Chameleons
    • Our Snakes
    • Our Tortoises and Amphibians
  • Classroom
    • Science Programs
    • Art Programs
    • Social/Emotional Programs
    • Virtual Programs
  • Parties & Events
    • Private Parties
    • Community Events
    • Virtual Programs
  • Contact Us
  • Blog

Fuzzy Thoughts

Care Sheet: Pueblan Milk Snake

1/27/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
Natasha, our Pueblan Milk Snake
Scientific Name:
Lampropeltis triangulum campbelli
Common Name:
Pueblan Milk Snake, Campbell's Milk Snake
Native to:
Puebla, Morelos, Oaxaca (Mexico)
Size:
Two to four feet
Lifespan:
More than 20 years
It is thought that Milk Snakes received their name because farmers often found them in barns.  While they were not after the cow's milk, they might have been searching for mice and other small prey items. 

Milk snakes are an excellent example of Batesian mimicry as their striking color pattern resembles that of the venomous coral snake.  Batesian mimicry was named for Henry Walter Bates who completed his work on butterflies in Brazil.  While these buttterflies were harmless, they tricked predators by mimicking color patterns of more dangerous species.

The Pueblan Milk Snake is a smaller species of snake that can be found in certain regions of Mexico.  They are crepuscular, meaning that they are most active at dawn and dusk.  They prefer small hiding spaces and have a reputation for being easily scared (compared to the more common corn snake in the pet trade). These snakes do not tend to bite. Their preferred defense is musking, which involves releasing a smelly liquid from their cloaca.

Quick Overview

Enclosure Size:
20 gallon long ​
Temperature:
80-85 degrees in basking spot
Humidity:
Water dish deep enough for snake to soak
Substrate:
Aspen, Newspaper, Carefresh
Diet:
Large mice
Picture
Natasha has an enclosure with a locking mechanism to prevent any escapes
Pueblan Milks Snakes are a good snake for beginners as they do not have complicated humidity requirements, nor do they require much space.  Adult snakes will be about the same girth as an adult corn snake, but may be significantly shorter in length.  Like most snakes, they are escape artists so an enclosure with a locking mechanism is recommended.

In the wild, most Pueblan Milk Snakes have red, white, and black bands of color.  In the pet trade, other color mutations have been selected through breeding.  A common coloration includes apricot or orange coloring on what would normally be the white bands.

It is important to provide appropriate sized meals for your milk snake on a regular basis.  A general rule of thumb is using prey that is 1.5 times the girth of the snake at its thickest point.  Here at Ferrets and Friends, we feed our adult snake, Natasha, one adult mouse every two weeks.  

Milks snakes can live for more than twenty years.  They are a long term commitment that many people do not consider when they purchase them.  Finding a new home for an unwanted pet can be challenging, but it is important not to release them into the wild for their own safety and the health of the ecosystem.  Instead, find a reptile rescue in your area or ask friends and family if they know of any one who might be interested in finding a new home for your pet.
Picture
Natasha's shed skin is easy to identify by the clear band markings. Snake sheds should come off in one piece if there is sufficient humidity or a dish to soak in

Animal Care Cost Example (2018 Prices): Set Up

Enclosure
$80
Screen Mesh Lid
$20
Lock
$8
Hide
$20
Water Dish
$15
Heating Element (Light and Fixture)
$40
Substrate
$9
Total
$192
Cost of animal
Varies by source

Animal Care Cost Example (2018 Prices): Annual Cost

Food
$72
Substrate
$39
Veterinary Exam
$50
Replacement Bulbs
$20
Total
$181
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    About the blog

    Ferrets and Friends, LLC has four writers bringing you information on a variety of topics from pets to wildlife, education to conservation, and from new developments in our business to information about our industry. Learn something new each week!

    Archives

    August 2020
    July 2020
    May 2020
    December 2019
    April 2019
    February 2019
    December 2018
    April 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    November 2017
    October 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017

    Categories

    All
    Author: Alex Rose
    Author: Sarah
    Care Sheet: Amphibian
    Care Sheet: Mammal
    Care Sheet: Reptile
    Do They Make Good Pets?
    Ecology And Conservation
    Education
    Ferrets And Friends LLC
    Health And Wellness
    Pet Parent Advice
    Training & Behavior

    RSS Feed

Services

Educational Shows
Animal Meet and Greet
​Store

Company

About
Our Friends

Support

Contact
FAQ
Terms of Use
© COPYRIGHT 2015. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Who We Are
    • Our Staff
    • Join Our Team
    • Our Partnerships >
      • Pet Therapy
    • FAQ
  • Our Animal Friends
    • Our Mammals
    • Our Parrots
    • Our Lizards & Chameleons
    • Our Snakes
    • Our Tortoises and Amphibians
  • Classroom
    • Science Programs
    • Art Programs
    • Social/Emotional Programs
    • Virtual Programs
  • Parties & Events
    • Private Parties
    • Community Events
    • Virtual Programs
  • Contact Us
  • Blog