Milk snakes have vibrant colors, nice patterns, and smaller sizes that make them attractive pets. However, you need to give them a good diet to ensure your reptile friend stays healthy. But the big question is, “What does a milk snake eat?”
As milk snakes are carnivores, you need to give them various types of protein sources. Their most favorite food item is mice. To maintain variation, give them small birds, bird eggs, snake eggs, other snakes, lizards, etc. Keep in mind their size while choosing the food.
Give them food in the right manner so that they can gain proper nutrition out of them. Let me help you with the ideal method of feeding these reptiles.
What Does A Milk Snake Eat: A Detailed Food List
As I already mentioned, milk snakes are carnivores. They can eat many types of foods except for vegetables. Here are the things you can feed them.
- Rodents: Mice are the main course for milk snakes. They also snatch up other small mammals from time to time.
- Lizards & Eggs: Especially skinks, these reptiles make a tasty meal for milk snakes. They’ll also raid bird nests for eggs.
- Other Snakes: Believe it or not, milk snakes are opportunistic eaters. They won’t shy away from including other snakes, even the venomous ones.
- Amphibians & Invertebrates: Milk snakes will add frogs and even slugs to their diet when the opportunity arises.
A myth breakdown:
Many people believe that milk snakes like to drink milk. This is not true, though. It is just a myth that has no proof. Besides, milk is not good for them either.
How Do Milk Snakes Hunt Prey?
Milk snakes are neither poisonous nor venomous. They are, instead, constrictors, which means that they squeeze their prey to death. Here is how they do it:
1. Disguise and Ambush
Milk snakes use two main strategies to find prey: disguise and ambush. They wait patiently in hidden spots like burrows, under rocks, or leaf litter. Like other snakes, they hold the prey very still, blending in with their surroundings. They will wait till the target comes near to them.
Milk snakes are active hunters, especially at night. They use their keen sense of smell to track down potential meals. They follow scent trails left by rodents and other small animals.
2. Capture and Restraint
Milk snakes strike very quickly once they locate prey. They lunge forward and grab the prey with their mouths. Their small, sharp teeth help them hold on.
Simultaneously with the strike, the milk snake rapidly wraps its muscular body around the animal. The constricts further with each exhale of the prey. They add more pressure with time. Being small in size, they are often not able to squeeze the prey to death. Instead, they intend to suffocate the prey.
3. Subduing the Prey
Milk snakes don’t crush their prey. Instead, by constricting and preventing the animal from inhaling, they cut off its oxygen supply. This leads to suffocation and ensures the prey is subdued before the snake swallows it.
4. Consumption
Once the prey is motionless, milk snakes will swallow the whole head first. These snakes have flexible jaws and bodies that allow them to consume animals larger than the diameter of their heads. This phenomenon is possible because snake jaws can unhinge. Additionally, their bodies are very stretchy.
How to Feed Milk Snakes at Captivity?
When the milk snakes are kept as pets, it’s your responsibility to feed them. And you need to do it in the right way. Here is what to do to:
1. Prey Selection
- Offer frozen, thawed rodents to pet milk snakes. It is the safest and most convenient option. Avoid live rodents due to the potential injury risk of the snake and the presence of parasites.
- Choose prey items sized appropriately for the snake. Though their stretchy figure and flexible jaws help them consume bigger prey, it’s better to avoid them in captivity.
- For small milk snakes or hatchlings, start with pinky mice. Gradually progress to larger sizes like fuzzies.
2. Thawing the Food
Thaw frozen rodents in the refrigerator overnight or in a sealed plastic bag. Submerge the bag in warm water for a few hours. Ensure the rodent is completely thawed and reaches room temperature before feeding.
Don’t give them frozen food directly. The reptiles won’t be able to consume frozen ones. They will be very tough and cold for the snakes to eat.
3. Stimulating Feeding Response
Some milk snakes readily accept thawed prey, while others may need some encouragement. Try gently warming the rodent with a hairdryer on low heat for a few seconds. This will stimulate the warmth of live prey.
4. Offering the Meal
Use tongs to gently wiggle the thawed rodent in front of your snake’s enclosure. Carefully observe your snake’s response. If it shows interest by flicking its tongue or following the prey, release the rodent. Never leave a live rodent unattended with your snake.
5. Monitoring Feeding
Allow your snake privacy while it eats. After a reasonable amount of time, check if the rodent has been consumed. Remove any uneaten prey to avoid spoilage and potential bacteria growth.
6. Feeding Frequency
Though food is important for snakes, don’t overdo it. It makes them feel uncomfortable and leads to obesity. Young, growing milk snakes may need to be eaten every 5-7 days. Adults typically eat every 7-10 days.
This is something that I like about snakes. These reptiles do not eat so frequently. It makes them a low-cost pet reptile. However, always adjust feeding frequency based on your individual snake’s needs and growth rate.
FAQ
Check the questions below, and you may find some necessary information that can help you look after your pet.
1. How long do milk snakes live?
With proper care, milk snakes can survive up to 22 years in captivity. Their lifespan is much less, roughly fifteen years in the wild. Give them a good variety of healthy food like mice, snake eggs, etc., so that they can live a healthy life.
2. What can happen if I do not feed my milk snake?
Lack of food will lead to a lack of nutrition and reduced metabolism, and the snake may die in a few weeks. Hunger can cause stress, and under excessive stress, milk snakes might try to eat themselves. This will be cruel on your part. Let’s not do such things. Provide them with the required food.
3. Can I hand-feed a milk snake?
While tempting, it’s best to avoid hand-feeding your milk snake. Use tongs to offer food to minimize stress and risk of bites. Leave their food in the enclosure and keep watch. Remove uneaten food after a few hours.
Conclusion: What Does A Milk Snake Eat
You see, milk snakes can eat a variety of food. However, being carnivores, they avoid vegetables. They are small in size, so they do not offer them animals or mammals bigger than their bodies.
Take special care of the younger ones. They are often much smaller in size and cannot constrict their prey. Offering frozen food can be a good option. Don’t forget to thaw the food before serving. Your milk snakes will have a healthy life.
References:
https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/DEEP/wildlife/pdf_files/outreach/fact_sheets/milksnakepdf.pdf
https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/reptiles_amphibians/milksnake.html