Sinaloan milk snake (Lampropeltis triangulum sinaloae)

Short answers

Sinaloan 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).

Sinaloan 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).

Sinaloan milk snake: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB not strictly needed; low UVB (Ferguson zone 1) optional and beneficial.

Sinaloan milk snake: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 15–20 years in captivity.

Sinaloan 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) 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 a slightly damp zone; cork 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. 90–120 cm (rarely up to 130 cm)

Life expectancy

15–20 years in captivity

Origin

North-western Mexico (Sinaloa, Sonora, south-western Chihuahua) – rocky semi-arid regions

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 (to stimulate breeding); not essential

Cohabitation

Keep singly. The species must be kept on its own because a larger animal can eat a smaller one. A pair only briefly for mating and under observation, then separate; always feed separately.

Notes

A strongly red-black-white banded milk snake (coral snake mimicry, non-venomous), easy to care for and docile. Taxonomically sometimes listed as Lampropeltis polyzona (sinaloae). Mistakes: permanent damp, and communal keeping.

Do you keep this species?

Add your animal to Reptoria – Reptoria reminds you about feeding and shedding. Add your animal for free →

Look for Sinaloan milk snake (Lampropeltis triangulum sinaloae) in the marketplace →

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 Sinaloan milk snake (Lampropeltis triangulum sinaloae) 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 a slightly damp zone; cork 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.