Kid Territory: Critters: Big Tex
Milk snakes sometimes eat other snakes. At the Zoo, Tex eats mice.
Although he has the same colors as a venomous coral snake, Tex the milk snake is harmless to humans.
Tex is a great snake ambassador and allows Zoo educators to bring him out to meet school groups.
Zoo name: Big Tex
Species: Mexican milk snake
Location: San Diego
Zoo's Education Department
His story
The United States Post Office got a little wilder the day they found “Big Tex.” In 1994, a cardboard box marked for postal inspection was opened and shocked postal employees discovered small bags of live reptiles. It is illegal to ship animals through the mail, especially venomous ones. These critters were contraband! The poor little rattlesnake had his rattle taped over so you couldn't hear it if he rattled. The San Diego Zoo’s herpetologists were asked to identify and keep the animals. Once out of quarantine, the reptiles moved into their new homes at the Zoo. The tiny Mexican milk snake was given the name “Big Tex” when he arrived at the Zoo's Education Department. His partner in crime, the twin-spotted rattlesnake, can be seen at the Zoo's Reptile House.
Don’t mess with Texas!
Tex the milk snake bears a striking resemblance to a venomous coral snake. This form of camouflage is called mimicry. Don’t let the scary stripes fool you, though—Tex is very gentle. In fact, he is very willing to be held and easily greets his adoring fans. As long as the handler has nice, warm hands and a soft touch, Tex is pleased to go sightseeing.
Udderly impossible!
It’s been said that the milk snake will suck the milk right out of a cow's udders. Horse feathers! That myth is entirely false. The milk snake's mouth is not made to do that. Anyway, how would the snake manage to get to the cow’s udder? Dangle from her back? Lasso her rear leg?
Milk snakes are often found in and around barns, making good use of shelter from the harsh outdoor elements. Even better, where you find grain and hay for cows, you find RODENTS! That's what milk snakes like to eat. Do you think being found in barns with cows gave rise to the myth?
Rustlin’ up some grub
Tex doesn’t have to hit up the Zoo’s hay barn to look for a mouse meal. He is fed six thawed pinkie mice every other Friday. Powerful constrictors, milk snakes are not picky eaters. They’ll eat a variety of animals, including rodents, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and bugs. However, the diet of an adult milk snake is usually rodents. The snakes eat at night and are often sleeping out of sight during the day.
Like other members of the kingsnake family, milk snakes sometimes eat other snakes, even rattlesnakes! If a rattler bites them and the fangs have not damaged a major organ, milk snakes have some immunity to their venom.
A hard-workin’ snake
Tex has worked for the Zoo’s Education Department for over 10 years. He does take days off when he’s feelin' blue. Nope, he’s not sad, just about to shed his skin. “Blue” refers to the state of his skin right before shedding. Snakes have a scale covering their eyeball instead of an eyelid. When the skin loosens before a shed, the “eye scale” appears to be pale blue. Tex can’t see very well when he’s blue, so we let him take it easy!
Hankerin’ for a visit
Unfortunately, you may not visit Tex at the Zoo, because he lives in the Education Department. However, you may see him out on a stroll with an educator or appearing at a school near you.
More
Animal Bytes: Kingsnake; Rattlesnake; Snake
Meet the Critters: Magnificent Manja; A SSSnake SSSurvives a SSSicknesss
Job Profiles: Helping Visitors
San Diego Zoo: Reptile House
