7 Things to Know Before Getting a Milk Snake
If you're thinking about getting your first snake or just looking for a low-maintenance, eye-catching reptile, let me tell you — milk snakes are a fantastic choice. I’ve worked with several over the years, and they’ve always impressed me with their bold colors, curious personalities, and surprisingly easy care routine. Here’s what you should know before bringing one home.
Why Milk Snakes Make Great Pets
Milk snakes are part of the king snake family, which means they’re non-venomous and generally hardy. Their beautiful red, black, and yellow bands mimic the venomous coral snake (a defense trick called Batesian mimicry), but rest assured — they’re harmless.
They come in a range of sizes depending on the subspecies, but most adults stay between 2 and 4 feet long, which is manageable for beginners and easy to house. They’re also pretty affordable, with hatchlings usually costing between $50 and $100, and the full setup running you another couple hundred depending on what you choose.
What to Expect: Personality & Handling
These snakes are active and fast — especially when they’re young — so don’t expect a docile pet that lounges on your hand for hours. They’re wiggly, curious, and always on the move. That said, they can absolutely be handled with some patience and regular interaction.
One heads-up: milk snakes have strong feeding responses, which means they might mistake your fingers for food if you smell like mice or another reptile. The bites aren’t serious, but they can draw a little blood. Washing your hands before and after handling helps avoid this.
Housing Tips from Experience
Milk snakes are escape artists. I can't stress this enough — if there’s even the tiniest gap, they’ll find it. Use a secure tank with a tight-fitting lid (sliding lids are best), and seal up any corners or edges. A 20-40 gallon tank is usually perfect for an adult, and they appreciate space to roam.
They also like to dig and hide, so give them a couple of hides (one on each end of the enclosure), plus some branches or decor to climb over. Just make sure nothing can fall on them if they get too enthusiastic.
For substrate, I recommend aspen shavings — they’re great for burrowing and easy to clean. Avoid cedar or pine, which can be toxic.
Heating, Humidity & Lighting
Milk snakes need a warm side and a cool side in their enclosure. I usually set up a heat mat on one end, connected to a thermostat, to keep the warm side around 85°F and the cool side closer to 75°F. They don’t need UVB lighting like some reptiles do, but a regular day/night cycle helps regulate their behavior.
Humidity should stay in the 40–60% range. During shedding, bump it up a bit by misting or adding a humidity box with moist moss.
Feeding & Cleanliness
Feeding is straightforward. Hatchlings eat pinky mice once or twice a week, and adults can switch to larger mice every 10–14 days. Always thaw frozen prey completely — I usually let it sit at room temp or gently warm it in a baggie in warm water. No need to cook it or serve it hot.
I recommend feeding in a separate container to avoid cage aggression and reduce the chance of accidental bites when you open the enclosure.
Spot-clean the enclosure daily and do a full clean every couple of weeks. Fresh water every day is a must — they may even soak in the bowl if they’re warm or about to shed.
A Few Other Things to Know
- Shedding: Totally normal, especially for young snakes who grow fast. Keep humidity up and avoid handling during this time.
- Brumation: Some keepers cool their snakes for a few months in winter to mimic seasonal cycles, especially if breeding. It’s optional for pets.
- Solo Housing Only: Milk snakes are not social. They’ll eat other snakes — even their own kind — so always house them alone.
Is a Milk Snake Right for You?
If you want a low-fuss reptile that’s beautiful, active, and full of personality, milk snakes are hard to beat. They’re especially great for beginners who want a pet snake that doesn’t need daily feeding or complicated lighting setups.
Just be ready for a little bit of a learning curve with handling and enclosure security, especially with young snakes. But once you get the hang of it, they’re a joy to keep.
Honestly, I’ve never regretted adding a milk snake to my reptile family — and I think you’ll feel the same.