Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have read that scarlets are some of the nastiest kings out there and are difficult to maintain. Is this exaggerated? I have a pueblan milk and he is pretty cool and calm. Do scarlets calm with age and handling? I have always been under the impression that brooksi were the nastiest, is this valid? Thanks, Manny

I can only speak for my Scarlet, but I have to say mine is a bit squirly. Mine is a w/c Okeechobee locality specimen, and she was a bit tough to get started on f/t, however, once she took her first she became a f/t machine. In fact, when my other snakes refuse a meal, she plays cleanup (had 5 pinks in the last week alone!). Mine does not like to be handled, but will accept my infrequent "advances" after a few strikes doesn't scare me off. I wouldn't consider them a "showcase" animal because they are very secretive and mine basically only wanders out from her hide well after dark. However, she is my favorite snake because of her difficult personality!

My pueblan is only slightly more forgiving, but is still a very nervous snake. Mt Brooks is the most social animal (once he figures out I am not food!). His feeding response is ridiculous, but I wouldn't lable that as "nasty", but rather "easy". My neighborhood kids love him and he allows them to handle him without protest.

BTW, if looking to aquire a scarlet, someone on the Kentucky Reptile Expo forums (http://pub13.bravenet.com/forum/show.php?usernum=1033030719&cpv=1) gave me some good advice, and that was not to spend more than $50.00 for a w/c specimen because they can be difficult to start. Take that for what it's worth. I, however, wouldn't dream of parting with mine!
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1.0 C/B Brooks
0.1 C/B Pueblan
0.0.1 W/C Scarlet King
0.0.1 W/C Eastern Milk
0.0.1 W/C Yellow Rat
0.0.1 W/C Western Garter
1.0 C/B Black Lab
1.0 C/B Min. PoodleXAmer. Eskimo hybrid
1.0 C/B Goofy Cat
1.2 C/B Children
0.1 W/C wife

Thanks for the info...I am only interested in purchasing captive bred animals

You will be hard pressed to find true cb animals over a few months of age...
There are only a very few breeders that will have them. And if they do the work getting them up to size and feeding on pinks, expect to pay a higher price.
I know once I've raised them up..they're staying with me most times.

:Mark
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Surrender Dorothy!

crimsonking.piczo.com/

...check the milksnake forums with your questions...They're likely to get more response ? over there. I know of a few guys there that bred them this year too.
:Mark
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Surrender Dorothy!

crimsonking.piczo.com/