Black Milk Snake: Info, Facts, & Care Guide

 

Content

• Quick facts about the black milk snake.
• Do black milk snakes make good pets?
• appearance
• How to Care for a Black Milk Snake
• Habitat, tank conditions and setup.
• Tank
• Lighting
• Heat (temperature and humidity)
• Substrate
• Tank recommendations
• Feeding your black milk snake.
• Diet summary.
• Keeping Your Black Milk Snake Healthy
• General health problems.
• Lifetime
• Breeding
• Are black milk snakes friendly? Our handling advice.
• Shedding and bruising: What to expect
• How much does a black milk snake cost?
• Summary of Care Guide.
• Result

One reason is that many snake owners come into the world of snake handling with milk snakes. But with so many variations of milk snakes out there, not all are created equal.

One of the most common species is the black milk snake. But what should you expect from a black milk snake, and are they as good for beginners as other milk snakes? Here we break down everything there is to know about these magnificent animals.

Quick facts about the black milk snake.

Species Name:Lamproplets triangulum Giga.

Common name:Black milk snake.

Level of care:Medium

Lifetime:20 to 22 years.

Adult Size:48 to 76 inches.

Food:Rodents, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates.

Minimum tank size:20 gallons.

Temperature and humidity75 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit temperature gradient, 40 to 60 percent humidity

Do black milk snakes make good pets?

While milk snakes make good pets overall, black milk snakes are a bit more temperamental. This is especially true in their teenage years. However, overall black milk snakes are easy to care for, live long lives and provide an impressive companion to show off!

Still, not everyone appreciates snakes, so deciding whether a black milk snake is a good pet for you comes down to personal preference and knowing what you're looking for in a pet.

appearance

Contrary to their name, when black milk snakes hatch, they are not always black! They can be red, black and white, or yellow when they hatch, and they won't develop their black appearance until 6-10 months of age.

This is a gradual process, so don't expect your black milk snake to change color overnight. Once they are fully mature, they are black from nose to tail, with a prominent textured pattern.

How to Care for a Black Milk Snake

Habitat, tank conditions and setup.

Tank

Unlike other snakes that require extremely large enclosures, a black milk snake is fine in a tight fit. Small black milk snakes can live in 20-gallon tanks, and even the largest black milk snakes are fine in 30-gallon enclosures.

The tank should have a fully enclosed lid instead of a mesh top. Not only does this prevent your black milk snake from hiding, but it also helps retain moisture to keep your tank at the proper humidity level.

Lighting

Black milk snakes do not require special lighting for their tank. Some experts recommend a small UVB light (of 5%) to maintain optimal health, but this is completely optional.

Heat (temperature and humidity)

Because your black milk snake is unable to regulate its own body temperature, it is important that you maintain a temperature gradient within their tank. This means having a heat source on one side of the tank and no artificial heat on the other side.

The basking area of ​​your tank should be between 85 and 88 degrees Fahrenheit, while the other side of the tank should be between 75 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Not only that, but you occasionally need to err on the side of keeping the humidity level between 40 and 60 percent in the tank.

Substrate

A soft substrate that your black milk snake can burrow into and that will retain moisture is ideal for a wall. While there are many great choices, we recommend cypress mulch. Scatter a few rocks around the wall too!

Tank recommendations

Type of tank.A 20- to 30-gallon fully enclosed tank with adequate ventilation.

LightingUVB lighting optional.

heating75 to 85 degree temperature gradient, 40 to 60 percent humidity.

Excellent substrate.Cypress mulch.

Feeding your black milk snake.

Like most snakes, the black milk snake does not require a varied diet in captivity. When your black milk snake reaches full maturity, one medium-sized mouse a week is sufficient.

Keep in mind that it is best to feed your snake a frozen or thawed rodent, as a live rodent can potentially injure or kill your snake. Finally, when your black milk snake is getting ready to shed its skin, it is normal for them to stop eating.

Diet summary.

Type of foodAbstinence percentage.

Rats/rats.100%

Keeping Your Black Milk Snake Healthy

Black milk snakes have few health problems when properly cared for. Problems to look for include scale rot, respiratory infections, dermatitis and parasites.

While tank conditions almost always cause these problems, they are still something you have to keep an eye on. Check for lethargy, loss of appetite, ticks, or small parasites moving around the tank. If any of these conditions are present, you will need to take your black milk snake to a vet who works with exotic animals.

Keeping the tank clean and the humidity at the proper level is the best way to prevent any of these annoying problems.

General health problems.

Scale rot, respiratory problems, dermatitis, ticks, insects and other parasites.

Lifetime

When cared for properly, your black milk snake can live up to 20 years! In fact, it is not unusual to see them live up to 25 years.

Keep this in mind before buying, as they are not short-term investments. The last thing you want to do is rehome a large snake after it has been part of your family for the past 10 years.

Breeding

Although black milk snakes are relatively easy to care for, they are difficult to raise. You need to find two compatible snakes and keep them in the same enclosure long enough for them to mate.

Milk snakes are incredibly antisocial, and if you leave them both in the same enclosure for too long, they will fight and eventually kill and eat each other.

Once a black milk snake becomes pregnant, it will take several months for her to produce eggs and several more months for their young to hatch. Once hatched, young black milk snakes are completely independent, and you will need to separate them.

In each molt, a black milk snake can produce anywhere from five to 25 babies!

Are black milk snakes friendly? Our handling advice.

Although milk snakes are among the friendliest snakes around, black milk snakes go through a temperamental phase in their teenage years. However, if you leave them during this time, they won't have the interactions necessary to become accustomed to being handled.

So, if you get a black milk snake, expect to shed a few times as they age. But before long, they'll get over those teenage hormones and become friendly members of the family!

Shedding and bruising: What to expect

Like most snakes, your black milk snake should shed all of its skin at one time. If it's coming in patches, it's a sign that you don't have enough moisture in the tank. Raise the humidity level as soon as possible. An incomplete shedding process can lead to other health concerns.

Throughout the winter months, you should drop the temperature in the tank a few degrees over a few weeks to simulate winter. During this time, your black milk snake will become a bit more lethargic and lose its appetite.

This is completely normal. At the end of winter, slowly raise the temperature, and they will return to their normal behavior!

How much does a black milk snake cost?

As far as snakes go, the black milk snake is incredibly cheap. They only cost between $75 and $200, making them one of the most affordable snakes you can buy. Just keep in mind that you will also need to invest in a proper tank, heating source and other equipment to care for this snake.

If you want to breed, black milk snakes aren't a ton of money, although the starting price is a little cheaper.

Summary of Care Guide.

Occupation

• Easy to maintain.
• Cheap price.
• You can keep them in small tanks.

Cons of

• Raising is difficult.
• You can't make a ton of money them breeding.
• The temperamental years of youth.

Result

After reading all about the black milk snake, it can be very tempting to go out and buy one. Just make sure you can afford everything that goes into caring for someone and that you have the space and ability to keep them for the next 20 years.

Finally, remember that while their striking appearance is amazing, they are not as friendly as other milk snakes. So, if you're afraid of getting stung a few times, these might not be the snakes for you!