The shedding process can take up to two weeks, during which your snake may exhibit behavior such as not wanting to eat, as well as external characteristics such as opaque, milky eyes. Young Milk Snakes can shed up to 12 times per year, whereas adult Milk Snakes lessen this number to every 2 or 3 months. Most pet Milk Snakes reach around 32 inches, however. Milk Snakes take 3 to 4 years to grow to maturity, from which they can grow up to lengths between 14 to 69 inches (35 to 175 centimeters), which will fluctuate based on the species, genetics as well as diet. While this is considered a relatively lower lifespan than larger species such as Boas or Pythons, it is a number that rivals those of the most popular furried pets such as rodents or some dog breeds, during which a lasting relationship can be cultivated between human and reptile. Interestingly, their lifespans are yet to be found out and recorded in the wild. Milk Snakes live on average from 10 years to 12, although they have been recorded to live up to 22 years in captivity. Then, buying monthly stocked frozen food for the snake can be accomplished for cheap on many online stores. The tank, or vivarium, must be of good quality that insulates heat (preferably wooden), complete with basking lights and heating mats, which can total above the hundred-dollar range. The initial purchasing price of a Milk Snake may be anything from 50 USD up to ridiculous prices ranging in the thousands for those specially bred for rare colors and markings.Īs is advised with most pets, you can avoid this cost by adopting a Milk Snake from your local animal shelter, as well as saving the life of an abandoned snake in the process of doing so.Ĭhecking your local craigslist or other retailer can reveal neighbors willing to give away their Milk Snake for free or something as little as 20 USD, for example. Milk Snakes are not a cheap pet to raise, as the initial purchasing price as well as the setting up of the tank can scare dabbling investors away. This, compounded by a myriad of other quirks and traits such as their friendly and mild personality as snakes account for their popularity as contenders for favorite species of snake as a choice pet. Not to mention, their stunning tri-colored (or bi-colored for some species) appearance means that they don’t need to be doing much to appear eye-catchingly fascinating to their owners or other observers. What accounts for their ease of maintenance involves their slow metabolism while feeding, since snakes, being cold-blooded reptiles, in general require little supervision as pets, and hardly give their owners reasons for concern beyond the glasses of their cage. Many newcomers interested in owning snakes may be intimidated by the concept of handling them due to their stigma and alien different-ness in comparison to a traditional furried mammalian member. Milk Snakes are not too big in size, being non-venomous and relatively easy for beginners to take care of, these factors make them a great choice for a snake pet.īefore making the decision to purchase and commit to your multi-colored reptilian friend, you may find the following information about its habits, temperament and diet helpful in determining if Milk Snakes are the pet you’re looking for. One look at a Milk Snake can instantly sway or dispel these fears, as their popularity attests to theirs being a wonderful choice for a reptilian friend as well as serving as a talking point at home. Snakes often get a bad rep, and it’s not often that a venturing pet owner will decide to settle on tackling a snake for a pet.
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