Care Guide
Complete Milk Snake Care Guide 2026
Updated August 1, 2026
About milk snakes: Milk snakes (Lampropeltis triangulum) are beautiful, hardy snakes with striking red, black, and yellow banding. Great for beginners!
🏠 Enclosure Setup
- Adults: 30-40 gallon breeder
- Juveniles: 20 gallon long
- Hatchlings: 10 gallon
- Provide climbing opportunities
🌡️ Temperature Requirements
🔥 Basking
85-88°F
☀️ Warm Side
80-85°F
❄️ Cool Side
72-78°F
🍽️ Feeding
- Prey size: 10-15% of body weight
- Excellent feeders on mice
- May be shy eaters — offer in hiding spot
🤝 Handling
Milk snakes are generally docile:
- Tolerate handling well
- May be nervous as babies
- Regular handling builds trust
- ✅ Basking: 85-88°F
- ✅ Warm side: 80-85°F
- ✅ Cool side: 72-78°F
- ✅ Humidity: 40-60%
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