Scaly friends count too.
Pueblan Milk Snake
Lampropeltis triangulum campbelli
Also called Campbell's Milk Snake
From Southern Puebla, eastern Morelos and northern Oaxaca, Mexico1
A friendly guide, not veterinary advice. For anything about your pet's health, ask your vet.
At a glance the quick version
Adults typically reach 60 to 90 cm, occasionally up to 122 cm
Looks how to spot one
scales
A slender, smooth-scaled snake with a barely distinct head from the neck. The body is covered in glossy scales that give a bright sheen.12
Personality what they are like
Pueblan milk snakes are naturally shy and flighty, especially when young. They rarely bite but may release a pungent musk or defecate when startled. With regular, gentle handling they become calm and docile, making them suitable for beginners.143
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Crepuscular, most active at dawn and dusk. Provide climbing branches, logs and plants. A hide box is essential as they feel secure in confined spaces. Allow 12 to 14 hours of light per day.152
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Low maintenance. Shedding occurs periodically; a water bowl large enough for soaking helps loosen skin. Spot clean substrate regularly. Use newspaper or kitchen towel for juveniles, aspen bedding for adults.64
Home where they are happiest
A wooden vivarium at least 3 x 2 x 2 ft with good ventilation. Daytime temperature gradient 78 to 90°F, night drop to 70 to 75°F. Humidity 40 to 60%. Provide a basking spot, cool zone, several hides, and a large water bowl on the cool side. Keep enclosure dry and escape-proof. House individually as they are cannibalistic.1453
Food basics what goes in the bowl
Carnivorous. Feed frozen-thawed rodents: pinky mice for hatchlings weekly, larger mice or small rats for adults every two weeks. Provide fresh water at all times. Avoid overfeeding as adults can become overweight.423
Company who they like around
Solitary. Must be housed alone except during breeding, as they will eat other snakes. Not venomous and legal to keep in most countries, but check local regulations.14
The story where it all began
The Pueblan milk snake was first described scientifically by American herpetologist Jonathan A. Campbell, after whom the subspecies is named. It has been kept as a pet in the UK and elsewhere for many decades, prized for its bright tri-colour bands and manageable size. It is now one of the most common milk snake subspecies in captivity, widely bred and affordable.14
Recognised by the official bits
- IUCN
- Least Concern2
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Pueblan Milk Snake. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Fresh waterevery day
- Temperature checkCheck the warm and cool endsevery day
- Humidity checkevery 2 days
- Spot cleanevery 2 days
- FeedingHow often depends on species, age and sizevaries
- Shed checkNote each shed in the diary; a complete shed is a good signvaries
- Weigh inevery month
- Full cleanevery month
- Vet check-upFind a vet who sees exotic petsevery year
Owner questions the things everyone asks
How often should I feed my Pueblan Milk Snake?
Feed hatchlings a pinky mouse weekly, and adults a larger mouse or small rat every two weeks. Always offer frozen-thawed prey, and avoid overfeeding to prevent obesity. For exact amounts, check the food label and ask your vet.423 Furry Diary plan
What does a Pueblan Milk Snake eat, and what should it never eat?
They eat frozen-thawed rodents like pinky mice for hatchlings and larger mice or small rats for adults. Never feed live prey, as it can injure the snake, and avoid any non-rodent foods. Always provide fresh water.423
How much space does a Pueblan Milk Snake need?
A wooden vivarium at least 3 x 2 x 2 feet with good ventilation is recommended. Provide climbing branches, logs, plants, and several hides for security. House individually, as they are cannibalistic.1453
What temperature, light or water does a Pueblan Milk Snake need?
Maintain a daytime temperature gradient of 78 to 90°F, dropping to 70 to 75°F at night, with humidity 40 to 60%. Provide 12 to 14 hours of light daily, a basking spot, cool zone, and a large water bowl on the cool side for soaking.15243
How often should I clean a Pueblan Milk Snake's home?
Spot clean the substrate every two days and do a full clean monthly. Use newspaper or kitchen towel for juveniles, aspen bedding for adults. Furry Diary's plan suggests daily fresh water and temperature checks, with a full clean every 30 days.64 Furry Diary plan
Can a Pueblan Milk Snake live with others?
No, they must be housed alone except during breeding, as they will eat other snakes. They are solitary and cannibalistic, so always keep them individually.14
How long does a Pueblan Milk Snake live?
With proper care, they can live 15 to 22 years. Regular vet checkups and a good diet help ensure a long, healthy life.423
Can I handle a Pueblan Milk Snake?
Yes, with regular gentle handling they become calm and docile, suitable for beginners. They are naturally shy and may musk or defecate when startled, but rarely bite. Always support their body and handle calmly.143
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Furry Diary's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
- en.wikipedia.org: Pueblan milk snake en.wikipedia.orgused for origin, length cm, coat or body, colours, best traits, temperament, activity needs, habitat needs, social needs, history, fun fact
- saginawzoo.com: pueblan milk snake saginawzoo.comused for length cm, lifespan years, coat or body, activity needs, diet basics, fun fact
- snaketracks.com: pueblan milk snake snaketracks.comused for length cm, lifespan years, best traits, temperament, habitat needs, diet basics
- reptilecentre.com: info pueblan milk snake care sheet reptilecentre.comused for lifespan years, best traits, temperament, grooming or care, habitat needs, diet basics, social needs, history
- nmrcdn.s3.amazonaws.com: pueblan milk snake nmrcdn.s3.amazonaws.comused for activity needs, habitat needs
- exotic-pets.co.uk: pueblan milk snake exotic-pets.co.ukused for grooming or care
- aquariumsystems.eu: 21125055727417 aquariumsystems.eu
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Feeding times and frequency for your dog vcahospitals.comused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Dog grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Cat grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: People foods to avoid feeding your pets aspca.orgused for owner questions
- RSPCA: What to feed your rabbit rspca.org.ukused for owner questions
Checked 2026-10-01. Text is written in our own words from these sources.