Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have had a couple of black milks for several years now, and I feel like they weren't growing much. (I used to weigh my snakes every month, but have not kept up with that as much).

My female black milk was last measured using serpwidgets in October of 2003. I felt like she probably hadn't grown much in the interim, but I figured I would serpwidgets her again today. She was 51" in 2003 and now is 64".

OK, she has grown, over a foot in fact. It is funny how black snakes don't seem to do so whereas tricolors obviously get bigger in appearance.

Just for comparison, I lined up my serpwidgets photo from 2003 with one from today and adjust the size of each to make sure they were to scale (using the rulers). The difference is obvious when you see the before/after picture!

Just thought I would share for those of you who are (im)patiently waiting for blackmilks to grow up.

Now the problem I have to solve is that the idiots who sold me the original pair sold me 2 females (as far as I can tell - they certainly aren't BOTH males).

Anyone willing to take a legible photo of the underside of the tail of an adult male and female black milk? I can normally sex snakes on sight, but these two look like females. One probes male, but still looks like a girl to me (and he hasn't sired any offspring to contradict my impressions).
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Chris Harrison
San Antonio, Texas

thanks for the words (pics)of encouragement! My male black milk seems not be growing either. The only way i can tell is by the size of his meal which are getting bigger. Unlike my kings the growth just isn't all that noticable.

Miller
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1.1 Florida King ('02 Pit & '00 Pearl)
1.1 Eastern Kings (2004 Orca & Sugar Pie)
1.0 Black Milksnake (2005 Bubba)
0.1 Okeetee Corn (Pumpkin)
1.0 Chow Chow (2003 Papi)
0.2 Cats (Stella and Shug)

I admit I do get impateint about my Gaigeae. I REALLY do like them a lot though!

message under the pictures. I'll try to get some pics of my males vent area. My females are still too small to breed. If you ever think about getting rid of a female please keep me in mind. Bob.

male vent pic

male vent #2

male vent pic #3

male vent pic#4

These are a few of my males. Sorry, last pic is too fuzzy. I was in a hurry. Hope this helps.
Bob.

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Weekend herper - I'll try to do that soon. I'm no Keith Hillson.My pictures need work!
Bob.