Species Notes based on experiences:

Milk Snakes are examples of batesian mimicry. Milk Snakes have evolved to impersonate the deadly Coral Snake (Micrurus). The old saying Red next to Yellow…kill a fellow, Red next to Black….venom lack or friend of jack. This is in reference the way the annulations or rings of the milks snake’s pattern are arranged. Save for adult size, the amount of black pigment present and overall build of the snake Milk Snakes are generally very similar snakes to consider as pets regardless of subspecies. Some species have been excluded from consideration because of their much smaller than average size such as the Red Milk Snake (Lampropeltis triangulum syspila) which may require lizards as first prey to establish in captivity. All the Milk Snakes listing on this site will generally feed unassisted on rodent prey from birth. The Pueblan Milk snake had an explosion of popularity during the mid 1990’s. The Tri-colour Kings and Milks Snakes were very popular in the UK back then. The Pueblan Milk whilst relatively short was very chunky and was one of the best snakes to hold because of this extra girth. This snake has now been rolled into the Polyzona Milk snake (Lampropeltis polyzona) along with three other subspecies listed individually on this site. Look through the images and decide for yourself but I believe this to be folly. We have bred for ‘Pueblan’ standards for 30 years and’Sinaloan’ Standards for 30 years. Why on earth would we want to mix them? Bear in mind taxonomic decisions are based upon shifting sands, and what is de rigour one minute is old news the next. We could have mixed species that in time may well be separated again. The Pueblan Milk Snake has wide bands, the most coveted examples have as close to equal width bands as possible. In the late 1990’s these were the standards we tried to create. As well as the off white/light yellow standard form breeding also saw a new form develop termed ‘Apricot’. This turned the lighter bands a lovely shade of orange. In older animals black tipping may begin to appear on the scales. This is a very small amount of black and not as intrusive as the tipping to the Honduran and Andean Milk Snakes.  

Score analysis:

When considering temperament, Pueblan Milk Snakes are generally very well behaved. They can be nervous or flighty snakes like some of the other Milk Snakes listed here as youngsters. If defensive behaviours occur, this will include tail rattling and vacating the contents of the cloaca. Biting is incredibly rare, the preoccupation with nervous Milk Snakes is to escape. With patience and time the snake will usually readily calm down and by the time the animal is a year of age it will be fully compliant.

Territory issues are nearly always more prevalent than true temperament issues. If startled snakes may rattle their tail and throw coils of their body in an agitated manner. This usually ends up covering the head (on purpose), if this fails a Milk snake may dart away trying to escape the human that disturbed it.

The hardiness of this snake is nature is beyond question but in captivity Milk Snakes can be a little nervous. This may affect the way they feed. This slightly more high strung nature can lead to the impacts of stress being more easily seen than in other snakes. Young snakes may only tolerate small sporadic periods of handling, excess disturbances may see them fast in hunger strike. A balance must be struck. This snake occurs in montane Semi-desert meaning its humidity requirements within the vivarium are very modest and winter night time lows may come dangerously close to freezing.  

This is a slight smaller than average subspecies with mature animals usually around the 80-90cm mark (3ft). This makes them the perfect size to work with for beginners. This is a heavy set snake for its size and carries more heft than the Nelsons, Sinaloan or Mexican Milk Snakes which are of comparable size.
       
Initially babies may be nervous and flee from food offered on tongs. It can take a good 6 months before the snakes are comfortable strike feeding. Some keepers just default to leaving their snake to it and leave their prey on a tray for them to hoover up in their own time. Milk Snakes are cannibals, they should be housed separately always. In the wild they are reptile feeding specialists taking both other snakes and lizards. Pairing of animals for breeding trials should be done with care.

Tub:
50ltr (exceptional animals would benefit from a vivarium)

Vivarium:
90cm x 45cm x 45cm

Budget rig: -
    60cm x 30cm heat pad
    On / off thermostat
    Digital thermometer to monitor thermostat performance
    Warm hide
    Cool hide
    Water bowl
    substrate

Recommended rig (vivarium only): -
    150w ceramic heat emitter
    Ceramic lamp holder and bracket
    Bulb guard
    Day night thermostat
    Digital thermometer to monitor thermostat performance
    Various logs and caves along the thermal gradient
    Damp hide
    Climbing and exercise branches
    Plants and foliage (live or artificial – your choice)
   Water bowl
    Substrate
    UVB light (8w T5 shade dweller 7% kit from Arcadia or equivalent) (optional)
    Subterranean section to vivarium for further psychological security (optional)
   

Climate analysis:

The high elevations at which this subspecies occurs means that a Brumation will be required in the wild. We can be somewhat easier going in captivity and a reduction in temperature to around 12 to 15°c with a reduced photoperiod will be of benefit. Animals should not be fed during this period which will last around 8 weeks. Mature animals may start to fast in anticipation of this cool down whether the temperatures are manipulated or not. The Brumation also help to keep the snake at a healthy weight and increase sperm production in males for the subsequent breeding season.

 
Conclusion:

Popular for good reason this is a cleanly marked beautiful Milk Snake that feels chunky and strong when held. Breeders are still working with this species and whilst it is nowhere near as common as it once was it can still be located with relative ease. A Superb pet species and well worthy of consideration.