Snakes: Colubrid

What are colubrid snakes?

Colubrids are snakes in the Colubridae family, the largest grouping of snakes. Most colubrid snakes are harmless, although they can all bite. Some colubrids are small, insectivorous species. Larger species include racers and indigo snakes. Many are colorful and very attractive. Most colubrid snakes sold at pet stores make excellent pets that are easy to care for. Some of the more popular colubrid snakes are described below.

Corn snakes

The corn snake, Pantherophis guttatus, is a common pet snake. The standard pet corn snake is yellow to gray in color, with a series of red to brown marks that go around (circumferential). They are now available in a variety of color variations (morphs), which range from gray to bright orange to a ghost color formation. 

Corn snakes are typically easy to handle, docile, and relatively low maintenance. They are a manageable size and adapt to captivity very well. Adult corn snakes may reach a length of 4 to 6 feet (1.2 to 1.8 m) with optimal diet and housing. They make excellent pets. 

Most of their diet should be mice. They should be housed at a temperature of 25°C to 30°C (77°F to 86°F), although they can withstand marginally cooler weather in winter. Corn snakes breed well in captivity, with around 10 to 15 eggs in a clutch. If incubated at 28°C (82°F), they hatch in around 70 days and, if big enough, will take newborn pinky mice immediately. After 2 to 3 years, they reach sexual maturity. Their life expectancy is 12 to 15 years with proper care.

Rat snakes

The rat snake, Pantherophis obselata, has several subspecies that range from the dark Texas rat snake, to the black rat snake with its white chin, to the slender yellow rat snake, to the orange Everglades rat snake, which is a beautiful orange color. All these subspecies are generally easy to maintain and they do well in captivity. 

In general, rat snakes are easy-going, but some individuals can be aggressive. Most species of rat snake can reach a length of 4 to 6 feet at full maturity, but some species may grow to be 10 feet. The adult diet consists mostly of small rodents, but in the wild they consume frogs, bird eggs, and some amphibians. Being arboreal (living in trees), they require branches on which to climb and rest.

King snakes

These robust snakes, such as the common king snake, Lampropeltis metula, are well-marked with vibrant patterns on their skin. There are over 45 subspecies of king snake. Adults may reach lengths of 2 to 6 feet (0.6 to 1.8 m). They generally require a large cage, which should be kept around 25°C to 30°C (77°F to 86°F). Although they rarely climb, they benefit from having some type of hiding space. 

Their food in captivity should be mice, which they constrict and eat. King snakes have been known to eat other snakes. Large and small king snakes should not be housed together, in case the large snakes eat the small ones. When stressed or frightened, king snakes may emit a “musk” odor, which is thought to ward off predators.

Milk snakes

The milk snake, Lampropeltis triangulum, is a member of the king snake family. It is a tricolored snake with yellow, black, and red circumferential rings. These snakes look like the poisonous coral snake but are differentiated by the arrangement of the three colors. Remember the phrase, "Red on yellow, kill a fellow. Red on black, friend of Jack."

They are considered more delicate than other Lampropeltis species and, since they come from a wide geographical range, they need variation in temperature. Northern species can hibernate at 6°C to 10°C (42°F to 50°F). Southern species tolerate a smaller decrease.

They are opportunistic eaters and eat a variety of animals, but do well in captivity on a diet of small rodents. They obtained the name milk snake because they are commonly found around barns. However, they are not looking for milk, they are hunting for mice that live around the barn.

Grass snakes

This olive-green snake, Natrix natrix, is a native of Great Britain. Although it exists happily at temperatures found in the UK, some individuals do not adapt to captivity well. 

The snake requires a diet of fish and amphibians. It is not a good choice for inexperienced snake owners because of this tendency for poor adaptation.

Garter snakes

There are many species of the genus Thamnophis. The garter snake is generally easy to care for, responds well to handling, and is active and diurnal (awake during the day), making it an ideal snake in captivity.

Thamnophis marcianus, the checkered garter snake, is a particularly attractive snake. Although they may be found in dry regions of North America and Central America, garter snakes always require water. 

Western subspecies are more terrestrial than the eastern subspecies of the common garter snake. Garter snakes may eat slugs, insects, earthworms, lizards, amphibians (frogs), birds, fish, and rodents.

Colubrid snakes vary in size, diet, and housing needs. Before choosing one, ask a veterinarian experienced with reptiles about the care needs of that particular species.