Considering a Black Milk Snake

Anyone have any adult black milks to show off? Considering one, and can't seem to find older posts that have pics that work.

Am I correct that they get about 6-7 feet? And, if so, can I get away with a 4 ft. enclosure, or is a 6 ft. the minimal?

Thanks.

Didn't know they went to 7' .... maybe check that out .

All I remember is that they supposed to be more placidly than MKBs .. Apparently


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Charles - I wanted one of these real bad, but just couldn't find one... absolutely nothing out there... If you have a source/breeder message me please. thx.

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Originally Posted by Zincubus

Didn't know they went to 7' .... maybe check that out. All I remember is that they supposed to be more placidly than MKBs ..

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I read that in here from at least one other member. And, there were a few posts that were showing these guys, how big and girthy they get compared to the MBK. The photos posted on those threads were no longer working. I can't confirm size... only what I'm reading. Which is why I was hoping someone that actually owned one, hopefully even an adult, would chime in and maybe post a couple of pics.

I love my MBK... but would be nice if I could get something that looked similar but larger.

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Originally Posted by vikingr

Charles - I wanted one of these real bad, but just couldn't find one... absolutely nothing out there... If you have a source/breeder message me please. thx.

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The last time I saw any available was a year ago at the Manchester Reptile Expo in NH. Unfortunately, my memory is terrible and I have no clue which breeder had them. I do remember getting there early and he had a countdown for availability at his table. They were sold out within 2 hours of the expo opening if I remember correctly. I know he sold out fairly quickly though.

I know nothing of this snake, only that some people on the Classy Colubrids FB group post them every now and again.... I'm sure the folks who have them on there would be happy to answer questions.

I remember seeing more of them around about ten years ago. I found one ad on kingsnake offering babies for $350. Also found this article: http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/Bree...nake-Breeding/

I considered one a few years ago due to their size and temperament - they are far more docile than the MBK, and make impressive adults. Everything I've heard is that they are outgoing, curious snakes, as well.

I been looking for them for about a year now, every time they come up for sale at a reasonable price they are gone before I'm able to get a response from the seller. I had the privilege to hold an adult that was about 6-7 ft long and it was docile, did not musk, and was very calm. I definitely recommend them if you can find them.

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Originally Posted by ladywhipple02

I remember seeing more of them around about ten years ago. I found one ad on kingsnake offering babies for $350. Also found this article: http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/Bree...nake-Breeding/

I considered one a few years ago due to their size and temperament - they are far more docile than the MBK, and make impressive adults. Everything I've heard is that they are outgoing, curious snakes, as well.

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Yea, that article seems to confirm "reaching as long as 7 feet by 4 to 5 years of age", but 5-6 ft. is more common. It also says that a 3'x2'x1' would be sufficient... but, to be honest, that seems kinda small for me, for a 5-7 ft. snake. Heck, I was questioning the 4 ft. enclosure.

I love my MBK... she is definitely still very squirmy, musks EVERY SINGLE TIME I take her out right now, still hides a lot, and believe it or not tends to be more shy when it comes to eating. Very often I have to just leave the mouse in the enclosure and leave, and she'll grab it at her own leisure. Its actually funny, cause she'll go under the substrate and slowly get closer to the mouse. She'll peek her head out of the substrate like a periscope, look around, then go under and come back up a little closer. Eventually.. she'll get the mouse, having "surprised" it in its predatory hunt.

Interesting. In our house the kings (Thayeri and MBK) are the nice ones, and the milk snakes are the musky, flighty twerps. Our long-term boarder MBK is an absolute sweetheart, and mellow, great feeder (he was shy as a baby, but . . . baby).


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Originally Posted by Charles8088

I love my MBK... she is definitely still very squirmy, musks EVERY SINGLE TIME I take her out right now, still hides a lot, and believe it or not tends to be more shy when it comes to eating. Very often I have to just leave the mouse in the enclosure and leave, and she'll grab it at her own leisure. Its actually funny, cause she'll go under the substrate and slowly get closer to the mouse. She'll peek her head out of the substrate like a periscope, look around, then go under and come back up a little closer. Eventually.. she'll get the mouse, having "surprised" it in its predatory hunt.[/FONT][/COLOR]

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Wow, my King is the total opposite. He'll rattle and tense up every once in a while, but not often at all. Typically he's a mellow sweetheart. But he's also an adult. Still has an insane feeding response. As soon as he smells mouse he's a completely different animal.

HannahLou has a Black Milk. she's on a long, extravagant vacay right now tho. Chip07 has one also. they are the current members who might know best for source.

but if u want the the ultimate big black snake, the grand daddy Eastern Indigo Snake is where it's at. (but u know finding these is much harder)

I have an adult female at about 3 years old now. She still has some faint white banding in spots. She’s probably around 5ft and very shy. Hides all the time. She’s in a 4ft but would be fine in a 3ft since she’s not an active one. Bought from Isis Reptiles.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/95YE5l5.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/Y0cgfFq.jpg

We have three adults, the male being about 6'9" and the females about 5 1/2 to 6 feet. To me they are the easiest snakes to care for as long as you don't let them get too warm. They seem to enjoy being handled and are very curious. You won't regret it if you get one.

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Originally Posted by craigafrechette

...But he's also an adult.

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Yes, I've always heard that they'll calm down and stop musking all the time when they get older. Mine is 8 months old and 90 grams. She definitely squirms a little less then when I first got her, but the musking and peeing is full force. I usually pick her up and suspend her in her enclosure, and let her get "it" all out of her system before I actually pull her out. So, not as messy, but just as stinky.

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Originally Posted by Ax01

...but if u want the the ultimate big black snake, the grand daddy Eastern Indigo Snake is where it's at. (but u know finding these is much harder)

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Don't think I haven't considered it. As long as the permit is fairly easy to get, that would be an awesome snake to own. But, I don't know much about them yet. And, I am far from experienced, having only kept the MBK and the ball python for under a year. That plus a lot of reading and skimming the forums daily. But, yes, in my crosshairs. Black Pearl Reptiles "seems" to be selling them, at about $1,000 a pop... but, availability is minimal, supposedly a long waiting list on these guys.

The other thing that concerns me about the Eastern Indigo is that someone posted how messy poopers they are. To the point of having to clean their enclosure several times a week. I wouldn't mind as much if I were retired already, but right now, if there's any truth to that, it just seems logical to stick to the milk snake.

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Originally Posted by chip07

I have an adult female at about 3 years old now. She still has some faint white banding in spots. She’s probably around 5ft and very shy. Hides all the time. She’s in a 4ft but would be fine in a 3ft since she’s not an active one. Bought from Isis Reptiles.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/95YE5l5.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/Y0cgfFq.jpg

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Chip... that is a beautiful snake. Thank you for the photos.

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Originally Posted by piedpiperballs

We have three adults, the male being about 6'9" and the females about 5 1/2 to 6 feet. To me they are the easiest snakes to care for as long as you don't let them get too warm. They seem to enjoy being handled and are very curious. You won't regret it if you get one.

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Can I ask you what size enclosure you have your adults in?

These are among the most docile milksnakes. They do not tolerate too high of background temps, so make sure wherever you keep it does not get over 80 deg F ambient. The heat pad can be at 82-84, but the rest of the cage should be lower. They can tolerate cool ambient temps very well. If you find a breeder, they will give you advice about the correct temp range, so follow what they say. Adults are really impressive looking.

Going to probably start looking soon. Just working out where to put new enclosures... because I still want a Woma as well.
:)

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Originally Posted by Charles8088

Going to probably start looking soon. Just working out where to put new enclosures... because I still want a Woma as well.
:)

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Snakes and potato chips; you can never have just one! Of course we tend to cram more snake tanks into a house than they put potato chips in the bag, but that's for another thread.

Good luck in your search and keep us posted. I didn't even know about Black Milk Snakes until I read this thread. Pretty cool.