Choosing Milk Snake And King Snake As Exotic Pet

Choosing Milk Snake And King Snake As Exotic Pet

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The exotic Milk snakes and King snakes (Genus Lampropeltis) can make an excellent and great addition to your pet collection, no matter if you are beginner or experienced herpetoculturist.
Since they are easily bred in captivity, there is never a reason to purchase a wild snake. Also, captive breeding has produced numerous colored ring patterns ranging from different types of albinos to striped and mottled markings.

Things to consider when choosing milk snakes and king snakes as your pet:
Adult size reach up to 6-7 feet
Lifespan around 15-20 years, sometimes longer.
Milk snakes and King snakes are relatively inexpensive, but there is a significant cost to invest in the proper equipment to keep the pet.
Like all snakes, King and Milk snakes are carnivores, which mean owners must be prepared to provide prey to feed the pet snake.
Milk snakes and King snakes do not have elaborate housing needs, but must be in an escape-proof enclosure.
Find out the law: check the legality of exotic pets in your area.

If you must choose a snake as your pet, make sure that the snake has these following criteria:
Firmly rounded body with clear eyes
No caving or sign of possible broken ribs
No signs of mites or ticks
Shiny skin with no sign of scrapes or discolored patches
Clean vent (cloaca)
Alert and flicking its tongue
Make sure that the snake is readily feeding on pre killed prey. Ask for a demonstration of the snake feeding if necessary.

A new snake may not be particularly tame when it is first handed to you, but should settle down fairly well with gentle handling. A highly stressed or wild snake will wave its body in the air trying to escape. Most king snakes and milk snake will settle down after a bit and wrap itself gently around your hand or arm. The will actively interested in its surroundings, by flicking its tongue and alert to movement.

Just like any pet, owning milk snake and King snake is a real responsibility. It doesn't end when you have chosen the species. You should understand with appropriate care and feeding, and the commitment to keep the snake as pet. The basic care for King snake and milk snake however, is the same for most species and subspecies.


About the Author:
Avicenna: Want to discover more about exotic pets, exotic pet snake like milk snake and more? Visit 1st-exoticpet.com



Article Originally Published On: http://www.articlesnatch.com


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