Reptiles are not capable of regulating their own temperature so it is very important to keep their environment at an appropriate temperature at all times. Newspaper therefore makes the ideal substrate, but another alternative would be certain types of shavings (such as aspen) or wood chips. It is important to use a substrate that is easy to keep clean and replace, and is not going to cause a problem if accidentally eaten.
It is important to always wash your hands thoroughly after handling reptiles as they can carry Salmonella. Once a week, the whole vivarium can be cleaned with a disinfectant suitable for reptiles (further details of suitable disinfectants can be obtained from your vet). These snakes should always be kept alone as they are cannibalistic and so have been known to eat their companion snake.Ī vivarium should be “spot-cleaned” daily to remove any droppings, or uneaten food. Branches can also be placed for climbing but should be at least one and a half times the diameter of your snake’s body.
Inside the vivarium, a hiding place should be provided which may be half a log, a purpose built cave or even just an empty box with a hole cut in the side. The minimum recommended size for an adult King or Milksnake would be 1m long x 45cm deep x 45cm high, but obviously these snakes will enjoy as large an enclosure as it is practical to keep. These snakes belong to the Order Squamata, Suborder Serpentes/Ophidia, Family Colubridae, Genus Lampropeltis.Ī wooden/chipboard vivarium with good ventilation and sliding glass doors makes the most appropriate setup for snakes, being easy to clean, insulate and keep secure. They are naturally fairly secretive and active mainly at night or between dawn and dusk, only appearing to bask for short times in the day.
Kingsnakes and Milksnakes (Lampropeltis spp) originate from the USA, and can be found in diverse habitats from fields to mixed woodlands to rocky hillsides.
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