Reptile & Amphibian Forums

How active are milksnakes compared to kingsnakes?

I'm thinking of getting one but what bums me out is that I read that they're nocturnal.

Does that necessarily mean that he wont move as much during the daytime?

I'm very happy with my calking because he's quite active and he's my first snake. I would just like to make an educated choice on whether or not a milksnake is for me.

The nocturnal generalization is not completely true. Adult milks can be active during the day but most younger milks will cower in their hides day and night.
Consider designing a cage display that gives the snake a feeling of security with a log/branch jumble, some rocks or caves and even plastic plants to burrow into. Then remove some as time goes on and the snake becomes comfortable in the cage.
I would always provide a hide for any milk - they do need a retreat.
Jeff

>>How active are milksnakes compared to kingsnakes?
>>
>>I'm thinking of getting one but what bums me out is that I read that they're nocturnal.
>>
>>Does that necessarily mean that he wont move as much during the daytime?
>>
>>I'm very happy with my calking because he's quite active and he's my first snake. I would just like to make an educated choice on whether or not a milksnake is for me.
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The rich require an abundant supply of the poor. - Voltaire

Most milks, especially the smaller and exotic varieties definately subscribe to your thinking. But I have noticed that in many ways big eastern milks are fine without cover. In most everyplace they occur they basically take the place of kings, and I believe their habits both in the wild and in captivity show this. I have found big easterns cruising a wall in complete daylight, they show little inclination to burrow in captivity. Of course they get reclusive when about to shed....but they act just like my big eastern kings do. Notice any of this with any other big milks?

mine all hve pringles cans as hides, and every time i walk in the room, they always pop right out and come to the front of the cage and start exploring. obviously they just want food and arent happy to see me, but at the same time they are very active

ARENT happy to see you? how do you tell?

Also how are the temperaments of milks compared to kings?

In general are they all aggressive eaters?

There are many different kinds of milksnakes. The more commonly available larger varieties like Sinaloan, Nelsons, Honduran and Pueblan are great feeders but can sometimes be more shy. Some of my milks wait until I am out of their view before they eat the thawed mouse left in their cage. My kings usually started eating before I closed the cage door.

So milks are a bit more shy on average, but are still very easy keepers. They like some humidity, at least sometimes. A substrate like coir (coconut fiber, Bed-a-Beast, Eco-Earth, etc) makes a great substrate when misted at intervals. All snakes like to hide, and milks are among those that hide a great deal.

Cornsnakes are a better choice if you want something that is more inclined to bask in the open, especially on branches if you were to use overhead heat.
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Mark