Natural lighting can provide this, or LED lighting can be used in the enclosure, especially if it includes live plants. As with most herps, they must be provided with some source of lighting during the day so they can distinguish day from night. Nelson’s milksnakes do not require UV lighting however, a linear 5-6% UVB light is beneficial and can be utilized, but again, it is not essential. Also avoid heat rocks they are known to overheat very easily and burn animals. :key: Don’t rely on stick-on analog thermometers and hygrometers, as they are notoriously inaccurate. ALWAYS connect all heat sources to a thermostat or dimmer to prevent burns or fires, and so you can control the temperatures.
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:key: Ambient temperatures should be measured with a digital probe thermometer, and surface temperatures should be measured with an infrared temperature gun. If the humidity is too high or too low for an extended amount of time, shedding issues or even an upper respiratory infection (URI) can occur. This should be measured with a digital probe hygrometer. A humid hide box may be provided to aid the shedding process, and the overall humidity can raise to 60-70% during this time (as long as aspen is not being used). :key: The humidity should be moderate: 30-50%. The ambient temperatures should be 73-82☏ (23-28☌) throughout the enclosure, and may drop to 65-70☏ (18-21☌) at night. The surface temperatures above the UTH should be 84-90☏ (29-32☌), and should not drop at all at night. Make sure the UTH covers at least 1/3, but preferably 1/2, of the floor space. :key: An under-tank heater (UTH) such as a heat mat, heat tape, or heat cable is a good source of warmth for kingsnakes. Furthermore, covering 3 sides of the enclosure helps them feel more comfortable exploring their surroundings. A third, humid hide can be added over the UTH during the shedding process, but is not necessary. This allows the snake to thermoregulate, or control its body temperature, while still being allowed to feel secure.
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Two hides should be provided: one on the cool end, and one on the warm end. Hatchlings should eat every 5-7 days, juveniles every 7-10 days, and adults every 10-14 days, depending on how well they retain their bodyweight.Ī layer of loose substrate that is a few inches thick allows burrowing. The mice should be slightly larger than (up to 1.5x) the thickest part of the snake’s body, so that it leaves a small lump after feeding adults will typically be eating weaned mice. Captive-bred individuals will typically take frozen/thawed mice very easily. They are not immune, but are resistant to the venom of native snakes. In the wild, these snakes eat small rodents, birds, amphibians, lizards, and other snakes. Like all snakes, Nelsons are obligate carnivores. Also, wait 48 hours after they eat before starting to handle them again. They should be eating and using the bathroom before you start holding them a good rule of thumb is seven days. When you first get your snake, give it time to acclimate to its new environment before attempting to handle it. They’re very active, so keep an eye on them the whole time you’re holding them. They are known to musk as their primary defense mechanism and are very reluctant to bite. However, they are still docile, easy to handle, and usually become more confident with age. Milksnakes, Nelsons included, tend to be slightly more skittish than other popular beginner snakes. These milksnakes have 13-18 wide red rings on their body, with thinner black bands, and even thinner white ones. As with most snakes, the females are larger than the males. Very happy.Nelsons are a small to medium-sized snake at 36-60 inches in length (91-152 centimeters), with the average being 42-47 inches (107-120 centimeters). Gave it a pinkie the day after I received it. Handsome little snake.īought baby milk snake.
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Great experience so far :)Īrrived alive with package still cool.
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It is completely adorable and has not missed a feeding, even ate the day after arriving. The snake arrived right on time, alert and healthy looking. It was extremely healthy and beautiful specimen. Received exactly when it was supposed to at Fed Ex.