Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi, I am new to the forums and a new snake owner. I am the proud owner of an adorable baby Pueblan Milk Snake. The pet store was unsure of his exact age but had acquired him mid-May. He is somewhere between 8 and ten inches long. I have just a couple of questions.
Exactly how much should I be feeding him? I have heard so many answers. "One pinky, two pinkies per week, two pinkies at once." I have only had him for a week and have fed him just one pinky so far.
Will his colors change? He has a few nice even bands then a few of the red bands are missing then a few more nice ones. Will he gain more or will they just get larger with him?

Thanks a ton for taking the time to read this. I am sure you guys have more interesting posts you could be reading.

Welcome to the forum and we're hoping you can post a few pics of your Pueblan in the near future.
I'm guessing your milk is from last year and should be taking one large pink per week or 2-3 regular sized ones. No real hard and fast rules just keep the snake round and healthy looking (finger shaped) without the stuffed silly look we all managed when we started out,,,,well, I did anyway.
It's OK to skip weeks when the snake sheds or you're taking a trip, 3 weeks is not a real hardship for a healthy milk.
Once again, welcome to the forum...Jeff

I have lost more then my share of snakes so i will warn you.They can lift those screen tops that you may have bought when they get larger enough.what do you keep your snake in? 10 gal.Fish tank? weight the top down without blocking too much air flow.When he sheds he won't eat for a few weeks so dont worry .His eyes will turn opaque/bluish, skin too

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..Doug
~ø¿ô~

I will keep feeding him single pinkies for now. If I start feeding him two should I do both in one feeding or one every 4 days? The terrarium I have is quite secure, far too tall for him to even reach the top right now. I would guess it is about 30 or 40 gallons. It was a gift so I am not 100% sure. 36" long 13" wide and 18" tall.
I am going to pick up a heat pad and thermostat soon. Any suggestions on types? What about the best thermometers?

Have you ever seen a snake use the silicone sealant on the corners to scale the glass? It is quite interesting. Those little snakes can climb MUCH better than you would EVERY believe. If there are ANY holes that look like the snake should not be able to get out of, the snake will manage to squeeze his little body through them.

I would suggest feeding both pinkies at the same feeding, that way you don't have to wait for the 48 hours after feeding/before handling two times a week.

>>I will keep feeding him single pinkies for now. If I start feeding him two should I do both in one feeding or one every 4 days? The terrarium I have is quite secure, far too tall for him to even reach the top right now. I would guess it is about 30 or 40 gallons. It was a gift so I am not 100% sure. 36" long 13" wide and 18" tall.
>>I am going to pick up a heat pad and thermostat soon. Any suggestions on types? What about the best thermometers?
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phflame
kingsnake.com host

While this usually starts an uproar, I use heat tape and thermostats only for problem barfer gravid females (sort of a serpentine morning sickness)and have just 6 'slots' available for supplimental heat. The room is thermostaticallly controlled for a range of 78-80 rather than heating each shelf or rack and the night time temp drop is not used.
However, the Herpstat Pro and Helix DBS 1000 with 3 or 4 inch tape have done a fine job for the last year keeping a very tight temp range without that annoying on/off and cool/hot cycling pattern. Talk to other people though, my application is very limited and recent.
Don't assume that 80 degrees is the right temp for that particular snake - I've learned that milks have a comfort range anywhere from 75-85 and you should notice your snake stressing in too high temps. Start on the cool side of 80 (77 say) and move up from there if needed.
Jeff