Reptile & Amphibian Forums

85 degrees in MA, flipped this Ltt under cover next to a large garter.

I brought it in to show the kids and get a quick comparison shot before releasing. He was the largest (right around 3') I've seen around here .

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Joe

Where did you find it? I live on the North Shore in MA and have been out looking for herps a couple of times and have never seen any eastern milks. Infact the only snakes I ever find are small brown s. dekayi. I would love to go elsewhere and find other snakes.

Under this.

Keep looking, they're out there.
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Joe

I guess the location is proprietary. I hope there are some in the north shore if not I'll have to start venturing to different parts of the state.

easterns are very isolated at times...you can find them on one hill always and never on the opposite hill in the same valley.....off the road to the left at the RR traxx and never to the right........you get the idea.....when you find them, then all you have to do is figure out time of year, time of day and weather conditions...and you can find them alot more....LOL....they are like morels.....when they are there, they are there......

*(like morels...remember , you have to sneak up on the first one you find or it will scream and warn all the others to run and hide).....????

true story....trust me...really....really.....!!!>>>LOL
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JY
Scales-N-Tails
reptiles ltd.

pm sent.

They pretty much seem to be where you find them. The spot where I found this one was one that looked good to me and I've been checking out for a few weeks. First time I went there I found this about 20-30' away form where the milk was.

Also found a rare (in MA) marbled salamander on the same hillside.

Milks are always a great find, but I like to find an photograph everything!

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Joe

Ambystoma Opacum are always a cool find. I've only seen one before. Was that first snake a black racer or a black rat snake?

Hey Joe,

Great find, that was a nice one. That albino is looking good.looks like he's not missing too many meals.

Dave
DNS Reptiles

Thanks Dave.

Finally got him off pinks and he seems to be growing. Up to about 26" now.
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Joe

I was wondering if you kept any Eastern Milks Joe. I was looking at the MA snake laws earlier and had never considered keeping eastern milks because I though ALL native herps were off-limits but now I see that it is OK to collect and posses 2 native milksnakes but you can't sell or trade them. http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/regulations/regulations_exotic.htm

"The only exempt wild animals which may be taken from the wild in Massachusetts are certain reptiles and amphibians (321 CMR 3.05). Such animals may be kept as personal pets, but may not be sold, bartered, or exchanged. The possession limit is 2 on each of these reptiles and amphibians. Allowable species include the American Bullfrog, American Toad, DeKay's Brownsnake, Eastern Gartersnake, Eastern Musk Turtle, Eastern Newt, Eastern Racer, Eastern Red-backed Salamander, Eastern Ribbonsnake, Fowler's Toad, Gray Treefrog, Green Frog, Milksnake, Mudpuppy, Northern Dusky Salamander, Northern Two-lined Salamander, Northern Watersnake, Painted Turtle, Pickerel Frog, Red-bellied Snake, Smooth Greensnake, Snapping Turtle, Spring Peeper, and Wood Frog."

In another part it says the following snakes may be kept without a permit, or any restrictions:
Lawful (no MassWildlife permit required):
All species of boas and pythons, regardless of size, except rare species, and those listed as Unlawful
Shield-tailed Snakes and Sunbeam Snakes;
Worm Snakes (except rare species), Thread Snakes, and related species;
Several so-called "harmless" snakes, including Brown and Redbellied Snakes, Garter and Ribbon Snakes, Glossy Snakes, Green Snakes, House Snakes, Kingsnakes and Milksnakes, Rat Snakes (except rare species), Water Snakes, the Western Hognosed Snake and certain others.

I wonder if the possession limit of 2 applies only to the WC snakes, what if the WC milks were to have babies born in captivity?

Yes I currently have 2 wc easterns as pets (the two shown in the photo with the one I found and released the other day).

Your interpretations and questions about the state laws are exactly the same as mine, and I have talked Mass DFW as well. This topic has been tossed around fairly recently on the forum.

That was a racer above. I have yet to see a black rat in MA, but I did photograph this one in CT a couple months ago though.

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Joe

I wish I could find someone with some of those really awesome looking milks with the high-contrast rusty-red saddles and black rings. Those snakes are amazing looking and remind me alot of my favorite cornsnakes, the okettees.