A colubrid is a snake that is a member of the Colubridae family. It is the largest snake family and includes about two-thirds of all known living snake species. Members of the Colubridae family are incredibly diverse and come in a wide variety of sizes, colors, and characteristics. Some colubrids are ground-dwellers while others are almost entirely arboreal. Some are aquatic while others are rarely found near bodies of water. Some primarily eat amphibians and fish, while others eat rodents. Some colubrids (like the kingsnake) eat other snakes, including venomous species.
California Kingsnake
The California Kingsnake's natural habitat spans not only California, but Utah, Arizona, Nevada and even North Texas. The species is very adaptable, which allows these snakes to live in forests, deserts, grasslands, woodlands, and even along rivers and farms. California kingsnakes are opportunistic hunters, feeding mostly on rodents, birds, lizards and turtle eggs. They also feed on other snakes like the Western Diamondback Rattlesnake or the Cottonmouth since kingsnakes are somewhat immune to their venom. This behavior gives the California kingsnake a good reputation with people in rural areas. From this ability to eat other snakes comes their common name "King", just like the King Cobra. They are also cannibals, feeding on other kingsnakes.
Diet at Exotic Edventures: Frozen Thawed Mice and Rats Conservation Status: Stable Species Ambassador Coming Soon!
Interaction Level: Extremely Interactive Audience: Great for all ages
Tangerine Pueblan Milk Snake
The Pueblan Milk snake is a non-venomous type of colubrid snake and is commonly found in southern Puebla, eastern Morelos, and northern Oaxaca, Mexico. This species of snake is extremely colorful. The Tangerine Pueblan milk snake's base color is red with distinct rings or bands of black and orange. Adult Pueblan milk snakes reach lengths of 36 to 48 inches. The Pueblan milk snake resembles the coral snake, which is venomous, and this similarity in color helps to protect the milk snake from potential predators. Milk snakes are nocturnal so they come out to hunt at night and feed on mice, rats, frogs, birds, and even other snakes.
Diet at Exotic Edventures: Frozen Thawed Mice Conservation Status: Stable Species Exotic Edventures has a tangerine Pueblan milk snake named Pablo. This colorful guy loves to dig and burrow in his enclosure substrate. Even with his bright colors, sometimes it is difficult to find him if he is not interested in venturing out of his hiding spots. Pablo is a great animal to use in our programs as he is extremely colorful and is quite active.
Interaction Level: Moderately Interactive Audience: Great for ages 6 and up