King or Milk Snake Care Guide

LIFE SPAN

 Approximately 15 years

AVERAGE SIZE

6-7 feet long 

NORMAL BEHAVIOR & INTERACTION

King and Milk Snakes in captivity are crepuscular, meaning they are most active at dawn and dusk. They are generally ground dwellers but are also semi-arboreal (will climb trees). King and Milk Snakes are highly active snakes that, when being held, tend to want to go in several different directions at once. They can be a bit nervous when first being handled. NOTE: All adult snakes should be housed separately, apart from other snakes, even those of the same species.

CAGE TEMPERATURE

Day Temps: 85°F

Night Temps: 75°F

HUMIDITY

40-50% humidity levels 

FEEDING

Carnivorous; frozen thawed mice or rats (size depending on age and size of snake). King and Milk Snakes should be fed every 7-10 days, juveniles will generally eat more often than adults. DO NOT feed live prey.

SHEDDING

Depending on the snake’s age and size, (young snakes shed more often than older snakes; smaller ones more than larger) he or she may shed 2-6 times a year. Some snakes may benefit from a ‘moist box’ during shedding time. 

SOAKING

Snakes benefit greatly from a good deep-water soak at least once a week.

SUPPLEMENTS

Supplementation is not normally necessary for snakes, as they consume whole prey. 

WATER

A large bowl of clean fresh chlorine-free water must always be available. Change water out daily. 

ENCLOSURE SIZE

A King or Milk Snake’s tank should be at minimum, a 40 Gal tank for an adult. Make sure the tank has a secure mesh lid.  

HOUSING & ENVIRONMENT

To regulate their body temperature, a warm side and cool side of the enclosure should be maintained. 

SUBSTRATE

We recommend a shredded aspen or reptile carpeting. 

UVB LIGHT

While King and Milk Snakes do not require UVB, exposure to UVB can be beneficial for the snakes overall health. 

DAY/NIGHT CYCLES & HEATING

All snakes must have distinct day and night periods in their enclosure to maintain their biological rhythms. Snakes need 8-12 hours of daytime and nighttime. 

HABITAT MAINTENANCE

Daily maintenance should consist of spot cleaning by removing soiled substrate, cleaning water bowl thoroughly and wiping glass clean. The entire tank should be cleaned thoroughly at least once every month. 

HIDING PLACES

Place a hide house inside the cage directly over where you have positioned a heat pad or directly under the heat lamp above.

BRANCHES & PLANTS 

King and Milk Snakes do enjoy climbing so sturdy climbing branches, rocks and plastic plants and can be included in their enclosure.

RECOMMENDED SUPPLIES

• 40 Gal (or larger) breeder reptile or fish tank (36”L x 18”W) with very secure mesh top 
• Large dome & appropriately sized heat light 
• UVB bulb & housing (optional) 
• Under tank heating pad 
• Temperature/humidity gauge 
• Shredded aspen bedding or reptile carpet 
• Live or artificial branches or plants (reptile-safe) 
• Large crock water bowl – big enough to soak in 
• Frozen mice 
• Humidity box with terrarium moss for shedding time 
• Dry hide house 
• Water dechlorinate drops

Vet Approved

Our Care Guides are designed to assist in general knowledge and requirements for the care of your new family member. We strongly encourage further research and consultation with your veterinarian on the complete and proper care of any new pet.

For more information visit petsuppliesplus.com, cdc.gov/healthypets or contact your veterinarian.

Always wash your hands before and after handling your pet or cleaning its habitat, and remember that any pet can scratch, bite or transmit disease to humans.

For pregnant women, persons with compromised immune systems, or if you have children under the age of 5, we strongly recommend contacting your physician prior to purchasing or caring for a new pet.

Please see the Centers for Disease Control website at www.cdc.gov/healthypets for more information.