Andean milk snake (Lampropeltis micropholis)

Short answers

Andean milk snake: How big does the enclosure need to be?

From 200×100×100 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, kingsnakes).

Andean milk snake: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 24–28 °C, basking spot 29–32 °C, at night 20–23 °C.

Andean milk snake: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Not required.

Andean milk snake: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 20–25 years.

Andean milk snake: Is it suitable for beginners?

Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

24–28 °C

Night temperature

20–23 °C

Basking spot

29–32 °C

Humidity

50–65 %

UVB

Not required

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 200×100×100 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, kingsnakes)

Substrate

Coco humus and bark mulch, a cork hide, climbing branches, a water dish

Feeding

Food

Frozen-thawed mice and rats

Feeding interval

Adults every 10–14 days, juveniles every 5–7 days.

Key facts

Adult size

150–200 cm

Life expectancy

20–25 years

Origin

Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, probably Venezuela — montane and cloud forests up to about 2700 m

Protection status

Not listed under CITES

Brumation

Cool rest period 8–12 weeks, around 20 °C in the daytime, 12–15 °C at night

Cohabitation

Single housing. Milk snakes eat other snakes — in this genus that is not a feeding accident but part of the natural prey spectrum, and it also applies to conspecifics of similar size. On top of that, when housed together it is impossible to tell which animal has eaten and which is losing weight. For pairing, put them together under supervision, feed separately, then separate them again afterwards.

Notes

The largest milk snake there is. A tropical species without a winter rest, but with a higher humidity requirement. Strong and keen on food – feed only with forceps.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Sonoran mountain kingsnake (Lampropeltis pyromelana) – Intermediate
• Isla Todos Santos kingsnake (Lampropeltis herrerae) – Expert
• California mountain kingsnake (Lampropeltis zonata) – Intermediate
• Chihuahuan mountain kingsnake (Lampropeltis knoblochi) – Intermediate
• Desert kingsnake (Lampropeltis splendida) – Beginner
• Florida kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula floridana) – Beginner
• Eastern kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula getula) – Beginner
• Grey-banded kingsnake (Lampropeltis alterna) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Andean milk snake (Lampropeltis micropholis) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 200×100×100 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, kingsnakes)), substrate (Coco humus and bark mulch, a cork hide, climbing branches, a water dish), a heat source with a thermostat, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.