Both species are designed to burrow into the ground, so providing them hides or deep substrate is very important for their care. Honduran milksnakes are known to occur in forest floor and grassland habitat throughout subtropical lowland areas of Honduras, Nicaragua and extreme northern Costa Rica. This is why they adapt so well to captivity. In the wild, California kingsnakes are found in a wide variety of habitats: forests, woodlands, chaparrals, grasslands, marshes, farmlands, ranches, deserts, and even brushy suburban areas. Of course, they should always have fresh, clean water as well in a bowl that is big enough for them to soak in if they want. They are opportunistic eaters, which means they will likely eat if you feed them, even if they do not need to. These species should be fed every 1-2 weeks, although they will probably “act hungry” more frequently. We strongly recommend only feeding thawed frozen rodents, as there is risk of injury to the snake with live prey. Their usual diet in captivity consists of rodents, usually mice. In the wild, they feed on a variety of other animals as well. For this and many other reasons, they should be housed separately. Known for their voracious appetites, kingsnakes and milksnakes are both what is known as ophiophagus, meaning they will eat other snakes. Young snakes are especially flighty and defensive, while older animals are usually calmer and less easily frightened. Make sure to wash any bite thoroughly to prevent infection. Being nonvenomous, their bites are not harmful or very painful. Although docile with regular handling, kingsnakes and milksnakes are also known to bite when hungry and tend to be “on the move” when handled. These snakes are excellent escape artists, and for this reason their enclosure should be very secure. Honduran milksnakes average 4-5 ft., although they have been known to reach up to 7ft. Size: Both species are slender-bodied, with California kingsnakes averaging 3-4 ft. Although this care sheet focuses on the more common California kingsnakes and Honduran milksnakes, there are many different species to choose from so be sure to do more specific research on the individual species you’re interested in keeping.Īge: 15-20 years on average, although some have been known to live longer. They come in many varieties of patterns and colors, and are known for being hardy in captivity. Honduran milksnake: Lampropeltis triangulum hondurensisīold and colorful, kingsnakes and milksnakes make excellent pets for those looking for relatively low maintenance and active companions. California kingsnake: Lampropeltis getula californiae
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