Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey all, I just purchased my first Eastern Milk, I have run into these guys a few times in the wild here in Indiana and was wondering why very few people have worked with them extensively? Is it because they can be somewhat problematic feeders? More likely not just that but because there are more established "prettier" milks? Anyhow, mine is supposedly a female and eating F/T fuzzies. How large can I expect her to get that is if she takes off? She looks to be about 20 inches long or so but is somewhat slender. I wouldn't doubt she is a wild caught animal seeing that few people are working with them.
Does anyone know of any breeders of these? Anybody care to see pics? I plan on using her for educational shows for schools once she is established. Thoughts? Thanks.

Steve

Sounds pretty cool. Is it an Eastern Milk or a red milk? How is its disposition. In my experience, red milks are quite feisty. It would be great to see a picture. I have seen a few Eastern milksnakes at different shows, so they are around. Here is a red milksnake. Derek

It's definitely an eastern, she is pretty calm (doesn't bite) but is constantly on the move. I would love to obtain red milks too. Apparently in Indiana we have both. Easterns up north and Reds in the southwest. Although I have never seen a red milk in the wild. I really enjoy our native species. I will take a few pics and upload them into photobucket for you and post them later.

Steve

They never caught on, but to be fair, most North American milks have never caught on (compared to Central and South American species). Babies can be small and don't take pinkies as readily as some larger non-native types. Below is a youngster that my friend in Cleveland found in his house this past Summer.

I once caught a 52 inch specimen, but in general most of the wild milks I've come across were juveniles.

Tim

Third Eye

Eastern Milks resemble Emory's Rats, Prarrie Kings and a few other more subtly colored NA snakes. Add to that the feeding problems and there is not much draw.

That being said I have a pair from Monticello NY. Here is the female...

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"The luxury of not getting involved departed with the last lifeboat Skipper..."

Steve,
I believe that it is illegal to collect or purchase wild caught snakes in Indiana. If your milk was caught in Indiana, you may be breaking the law there. I am familiar with this as I have researched the laws with regard to obtaining Eastern Black Kings from Indiana and am unable to do saw because of the regulations.
I would love to see a photo of your milk. I am from South Central, PA and see them here infrequently. I have worked with them in the past and have found that the young ones (at least from my area) tend to take baby mice readily. I have, though had problem feeders with the young as well.
Brad

Thanks for the heads up, however, I'm not exactly sure where my milk came from. I tried feeding her last night with no success. I will take her weight and give her some time. While checking her out, I also believe she has an old nose rub on her. Concerning laws, I know it's not illegal to field collect them here. As a special turtle possession permit holder, (I have Eastern Box turtles collected in Indiana that recently had to be microchipped,) I keep a weary eye on our state laws. I have both a hunting and fishing license so I'm good to go come spring. You can see our laws here:

http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/endangered/regs.htm

I will post pics tonight after I find my USB cable.

Steve