Care Sheet Nelsons Milk Snake

Scientific name
Lampropeltis triangulum nelsoni
Habitat
Mexico (amongst others Tres Marias Island, Sierra Madre del Sur) dry mountain
regions, crepuscular and mostly nocturnal.
Size
approx. 60-80 cm
Life Expectancy
over 15 years
Reproduction
3-6 eggs. Incubation period at 28C approx. 55-65 days. A short resting period at
10-15C is recommended for breeding.
Temperature
Ambient air temperature between 25-28C, Basking spot up to 33C. Night temps
down to about 20-23C.
Use a ceramic heater in a safety cage and a pulse proportional thermostat or
Infra Red bulb in a safety cage with a Dimming thermostat set up.
Humidity
50-60%
Lighting
Daylight fluorescent tubes e.g. "Natural Sunlight" or "Zoo Med ReptiSun 2.0" or
similar.
Substrate
Loamy soil with rock structures or Desert or River Sand, Aspen, Beech chips.
Cage Furniture

hideouts, stones, roots, climbing facilities, and a small flat water bowl. Planting is
possible (Aloe sp,
Euphorbia sp. etc.)
Vivarium Size
Minimum requirement, 30 x 15 x12 (LWD)
Food
Mice of appropriate sizes, Chicks, small lizards and snakes.
Comments
Nelson Milk Snakes should not be kept together as they eat other snakes!
John Gamesby