Description:
Scientific name: Lampropeltis triangulum triangulum
Life span: More than 21 years
The eastern milk snake, also known as the eastern milksnake or Lampropeltis triangulum triangulum, is a subspecies of the milk snake (Lampropeltis triangulum). Scales on it are glossy and silky. Dorsal saddles that are brownish in color and have black edges make up the dorsal color pattern. In the southern portions of its habitat, the dorsal saddles might occasionally be reddish or reddish brown. According to another description, the snake’s top and sides are covered in three (or sometimes five) rows of brown (and occasionally reddish) blotches with black borders on a gray or tan background. The two lateral series of blotches are smaller than the dorsal series, which has larger blotches. Checks in black and white appear on the tummy (often irregular).
Native Region/Habitat
From Maine to Ontario in the north to Alabama and North Carolina in the south, the eastern milk snake can be found. In a region of its southern range, it was long believed by herpetologists that it intergraded with the scarlet kingsnake (Lampropeltis elapsoides), however this has since been proven false. The eastern milk snake is a species that is frequently found in rural settings where there are plenty of structures and mammal burrows for hibernation and feeding places. They also utilize a variety of open habitats and forest borders.
Behavior:
Most wild Eastern Milk Snakes spend the daytime. This indicates that the daytime is when they are most active. Wild variations will turn nocturnal during the hottest periods of the summer to avoid overheating. When frightened, your snake will curl up and resemble the massasauga rattlesnake by “rattling” its tail. This is done to deter potential predators who could be attracted to the imitation and think the bite will be poisonous. Make sure your substrate is suitable for burrowing because eastern milk snakes enjoy doing so. As an alternative, create little tunnels and hollow logs to encourage the burrowing tendency. These snakes often behave well and immediately get friendly with their handlers.
Care As a pet/In captivity:
The eastern milk snake is frequently produced in captivity for the pet trade, like many other milk snake species are. In general, it is calm and rarely tries to bite, yet if it feels constrained, it might.
- As is the case with the majority of snakes, the enclosure should be as long on one end as the snake is long. Most snakes thrive in a 3-foot long cage, such as a 40 gallon breeder tank, given that this subspecies’ usual length is between 24 and 36 inches (61 and 90 cm). But in order for longer snakes to adequately stretch out their bodies, larger enclosures are needed. Also, longer snakes should have plenty of space to move around and explore since the majority of colubrid snakes are active.
- A basin of fresh, clean water should always be nearby for eastern milksnakes. If desired, the dish should ideally be big enough for them to soak in. Although a Tupperware lid can be used during feeding to assist prevent substrate from being swallowed, a food bowl is not necessary.
- Kingsnakes can get heated using an under-tank heater (UTH), such as a heat pad, heat tape, or heat cable. Ensure the UTH occupies at least one-third, ideally half, of the floor area. The basking area’s surface temperature should be around 28°C (82°F), and it shouldn’t dip at night. The enclosure’s ambient temperatures should range from 70 to 79 degrees Fahrenheit (21 to 26 degrees Celsius), with nighttime lows of 67 to 69 degrees Fahrenheit (19 to 21 degrees Celsius).
- A range of 30% to 50% should be the humidity. Use a digital probe hygrometer to measure this. A prolonged period of very high or low humidity can cause shedding problems or possibly an upper respiratory infection (URI). To facilitate the shedding process, a humid hide box might be offered.
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