Nelson's milk snake (Lampropeltis triangulum nelsoni)

Short answers

Nelson's milk snake: How big does the enclosure need to be?

From 130×65×65 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, kingsnakes, 1 adult animal).

Nelson's milk snake: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 24–28 °C, basking spot 30–33 °C, at night 20–22 °C (not below 18 °C).

Nelson's milk snake: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB not strictly needed; low UVB (Ferguson zone 1, UV index 0.5–1) is optional and beneficial.

Nelson's milk snake: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 15–20+ years in captivity.

Nelson's milk snake: Is it suitable for beginners?

Yes – it is considered suitable for beginners (difficulty: Beginner).

Climate

Daytime temperature

24–28 °C

Night temperature

20–22 °C (not below 18 °C)

Basking spot

30–33 °C

Humidity

40–60 %

UVB

UVB not strictly needed; low UVB (Ferguson zone 1, UV index 0.5–1) is optional and beneficial

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 130×65×65 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, kingsnakes, 1 adult animal)

Substrate

Bark mulch, beech chips or coco humus, dry with one slightly damp zone; cork tubes and hides

Feeding

Food

Thawed frozen mice or small rats of a suitable size

Feeding interval

adults every 10–14 days, juveniles every 5–7 days

Key facts

Adult size

approx. 100–130 cm

Life expectancy

15–20+ years in captivity

Origin

The Pacific coastal region of western and central Mexico (Guanajuato, Jalisco, Michoacán, the Tres Marías Islands)

Protection status

Not listed under CITES, not relevant under German species protection law; in the trade virtually only captive-bred animals

Brumation

An optional winter rest of 6–8 weeks at ~12–16 °C with a shortened photoperiod (mainly to stimulate breeding); not essential

Cohabitation

Keep singly. Milk snakes are not social and eat other snakes, so single housing is the only safe choice. A pair only briefly for mating and under observation, then separate; always feed separately.

Notes

A calm, robust beginner's snake; a powerful constrictor. Common mistakes: conditions that are too damp (skin problems), keeping them together (cannibalism), and feeder animals that are too large. Keep a water container always available. Similar in colour to the venomous coral snake (mimicry), but entirely non-venomous.

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Related species

• Andean milk snake (Lampropeltis micropholis) – Intermediate
• 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

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Nelson's milk snake (Lampropeltis triangulum nelsoni) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 130×65×65 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, kingsnakes, 1 adult animal)), substrate (Bark mulch, beech chips or coco humus, dry with one slightly damp zone; cork tubes and hides), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.