Reptile & Amphibian Forums

This little guy started eating pinky pieces off tweezers the day I got him and there's just no stopping him. Also has yet to bite or musk me. I think he's a keeper.
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can't seem to figure out the picture thing. maybe this will work.

keep feeding him while you can
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A bad day in the field is better then a good day at work

Doug L

I second that statement from snakebit. Feed em while they are eating because that little one could go off feed at any time as many milks do.

>>This little guy started eating pinky pieces off tweezers the day I got him and there's just no stopping him. Also has yet to bite or musk me. I think he's a keeper.
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I'd keep him just for his nice and complete saddles alone. Good looking milksnake...!

Very nice! I have some 08 easterns that have exceptional appetites and growth rates. Like Doug said, feed him while he's eating because he's bound to shut down any time. You never know with these guys.

Dave

DNS Reptiles

Why do they "shut down"? Do they turn on again? I've never kept a milksnake before, just kings, corns, and rats. Is that one in the picture wild caught or captive born/bred?

Not all but many shut down in the summer around july and august. Cool climate snakes seem to follow the weather cycle.They wake up from their winter homes and have two things to do. Eat and reproduce.Once this is finished they will eat for a while then go deeper underground during the warmer dryer months.They will eat again in the fall to prepare for the long winter fast.In captivity snake keepers have found that this is the cycle that can work to get the snakes to reproduce.
With hatchlings and subadults you may not want to cool your snake over the winter since it will not be large enough to mate.
Not all milks follow these rules but most milks eat like pigs for 8 weeks then stop in mid july.So feed it as much as it will take.May and june are the most active mths

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A bad day in the field is better then a good day at work

Doug L