A jet-black snake might not be the epitome of a snuggly, cuddly pet. However, it is the perfect choice for people who are into exotic pets. Its color is one of many attractive features that can draw a person into becoming its owner.
The black milk snake is a non-venomous snake belonging to the Colubridae family. It is one of the biggest snakes, growing almost 2 meters (6.56 ft) in length. The black milk snake is a low-maintenance pet, requiring humid and warm, room temperature conditions and food once a week.
Keep reading if you’re interested in learning more about this gigantic snake. I will share some facts about its appearance and behavior. You will also learn tips on caring for the snake properly if you’re thinking about owning one.
Black Milk Snake: Must-Know Facts and Care Guide
The black milk snake is non-venomous and non-aggressive. It inhabits the rainforests in Central America and is native to Costa Rica and Panama. The black milk snake lives at high elevations of 4,300 and 7,400 feet (1,300 – 2,200 m). The climate in their natural habitat is cool and humid.
Appearance
The black milk snake or Lampropeltis triangulum gaigae is one of the 23 subspecies of milk snakes. The main characteristics of this species are its shiny scales.
Although milk snakes vary greatly in length and color, they tend to be brightly colored when young. Their colors are why they are often mistaken for venomous coral snakes.
The black milk snake is only tricolor in the first few months of its life. When it hatches, it has red, black, and yellow crossbands.
As it grows, the colors fade because of the skin shedding. The result is entirely black skin. It takes the snake about six to 10 months to reach this color stage.
Although this snake loses its bright colors, it keeps its textured pattern. Where the design is still evident, a white band crosses the snout, usually right before the tip of the nose. The texture combined with the glossy scales forms a mesmerizing iridescent effect.
The black milk snake is one of the largest milk snake subspecies. A fully grown snake can grow more than 6 feet (1.8 m) in length. Although large, as the name ‘gaigae’ suggests, it is harmless to people.
Diet
The diet is quite typical as that of any other snake. Black milk snakes eat lizards, rodents, small birds, and other snakes. If you have one as a pet, you should feed them once a week.
Feeding the black milk snake with frozen mice is the best and least messy option. Avoid feeding live prey to the snake. The snake may get injured while hunting the mouse in an enclosed space.
Handling
Since it is a large snake, you should take extra care when picking it up. Snakes don’t like to dangle and feel insecure. Hold it with both hands, supporting its head and tail.
Although the black milk snake is not known to be a great constrictor, avoid putting it around your neck. Moreover, you should always know where the snake’s head is for your and its safety.
Enclosure
The black milk snake lives in highly elevated rainforest areas. That means they prefer cool temperatures and lots of humidity. Keep the humidity level from 40%-60%. It is enough to keep a wide water bowl in their enclosure to keep humidity at the right level.
You should provide them with a hotter and cooler space within their enclosure. The temperature should range from 75 °F (24 °C) on the cooler end up to 87 °F (30 °C) in the basking area. Depending on your room’s heating, you might not even need to add extra heat, especially in summer.
The tank size should be at least 20-30 gallons (75-112 liters). The tank’s dimensions should allow the snake to stretch horizontally and vertically. Therefore, buy a tank at least 4×2 feet (1.21×0.60 m) in size.
Behavior
This snake is known to go through temperamental stages. It is more energetic and active in the first year. This means that as a youngling, it won’t enjoy being held as much. The fussiness might even result in biting without warning.
The good news is that they’ll grow out of their feisty stage. Stay persistent through their maturing process. They’ll start getting friendly if you continuously interact with them and handle them daily.
Don’t take their temporary spirited phase as a character trait. Also, don’t give up on handling the snake in this crucial adolescent period. Otherwise, you might never get the opportunity to develop a connection with it.
Final thoughts
Black milk snakes make great pets. They are ever-changing both physically and behaviorally. The darker their color gets, the tamer they become. The black snake might be the right choice if you want a gentle giant.
