Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Do any of you have both black milksnakes AND mexican black kingsnakes? I'd be VERY interested on your impressions for each, and your why you have your preferences. I'm planning to get a Gaigae at Hamm in March, and want to be sure that I'm making the right decision, as I don't really have room for both...!

I know that the black milksnakes grow to be considerably larger, are fine at high 60's to mid 70's temperatures, and are laid back even as juveniles. They both seemingly have a jet black, shiny coloration with irridescence... What other characteristics make them really winners as far as a pets, and are there any behavioral issues with the MBK?

Thanks for your help!

Dan

The gaigeae are actually more glossy pure jet-black than nigrita which are a very dark brown. When compared side by side you can really see the difference between the two, this is a fact.

The gaigae have a lighter skin coloration underneath and between their scales, whereas nigrita have a brown colored skin. Both are very cool of course, so whichever one you choose, have fun with it!

At least the gaigeae are not $700 dollars like they where many years ago..LOL!. They are VERY affordable now.

~Doug
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"a snake in the grass is a GOOD thing"

Thanks, Doug; it's always great to get an informed response here! I've done a bit of research here and on other forums, and just about everyone praises both of these snakes, although the Gaigae is usually said to be more mellow in general. I like the fact that the black milksnakes get quite large -- 6 foot for some females and about 5 foot for the males.

On a side note, I suggested a funny prank a while back. Someone was watching the store for one of the bigger breeders and was taking pics of those 2 species. Being the practical joker I am I suggested swapping shelf space to see if the owner noticed....but I guess I have a different sense of humor as the guy wouldnt do it..oh well...LOL

Man, if I was there, I would have GLADLY participated in that one!..LOL!

It probably would have went right out the door as whatever it was labeled..LOL!........."CHA-CHING!,..that will be $129.99 plus tax sir"........HAHAHAHAAA!

~Doug

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"a snake in the grass is a GOOD thing"

Now THAT's not funny! LOL!
I'm gonna go with sure the MBK's can be feisty at first, but I have no other snake that is more handleable, IMO. Doug may be rightabout the colors, I don't have any black milks, but am ready to try some myself! but mine are black as coal, and have a super shiny appearance, truly Lamrpo-peltis, if you will. And the blue gray belly is awesome to boot. I like them because of all the snakes I have owned, these splendies have never refused a meal, or bitten me, they bluff like the Devil when they hatch though, tough guys! They calm quickly and really they have become my lap snake, and the smaller size suits me fine. Don't get me wrong, I own an indigo, many bulls and gophers, and some truly long rats, and dig 'em, but I just wanted to give a shout out for the MBK, GO MBK!

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Todd Hughes

Yeah Todd, that certainly IS a sweet MBK you are sporting there!

I really liked the MBK that I had a while back too. The thing was an absolute JOY to hold man. He would come shooting out of the top initially in true getula fashion, but once he knew he was coming out to be held(and not fed)he was insanely laid-back and easy going. Of course, so are most all gaigeae too..LOL!

Here's the one I used to have.

and a VERY old-school tangerine I had many years ago.

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"a snake in the grass is a GOOD thing"

my website -serpentinespecialties.webs.com/index.htm

I have four gaigae (2 adults & 2 yearlings) and one adult nigrita. Every single gaigae eats like a horse and never skips a meal, but my nigrita...well she has been eating around once a month or even longer between as of late. Pretty sure it's just the season but I like the fact that the gaigae are pretty much constant in their consistency with regards to meal time. And I like that they dont require the warmer temps so I dont really need electricity to keep them happy. Seems like the colder they are the more active they get! At least with mine. To an extent of course...I'm sure if I put them in snow they would not be too happy lol!
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~Markus Arelius

Ok fine just Markus.

The very existence of flamethrowers means that sometime, somewhere, someone said to themselves..."You know, I really want to set those people over there on fire...but I'm just not close enough to get the job done!

Thnanks, Markus; good input... I know everyone who has the Gaigae is thrilled with them for the parameters stated in your post, and for others. Too bad there aren't vaieties that turn jet black, and other that sty super bright when they're adults! LOL

Dan

Ha yeah true dat!! But for me, well I got into these guys because they end up a nice jet black I love me them black snakes!!

But for those who like the tri colorations and different morphs, it would definitely be really cool to have those options in a snake that gets to a decent size and is so easy to maintain!!!

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~Markus Arelius

Ok fine just Markus.

The very existence of flamethrowers means that sometime, somewhere, someone said to themselves..."You know, I really want to set those people over there on fire...but I'm just not close enough to get the job done!

L. t. andesiana, the Andean milksnake, is very much like the black milk in terms of size and temperament, and comes in at least two morphs... tangerine and "Inca". As their name suggests, they are native to the high altitudes of the Andes mountains. They also intergrade with L. t. micropholis in some areas... here's a picture of my "micropholis" that is probably about 25% andesiana, in one of his rare moments of sitting still. Unfortunately, in terms of temperament, he is nothing like my gaigeae!

Nate

Do the L. t. andesiana and L. t. micropholis have the same preference of cooler temps like the gaigeae's? Thats a very cool micropholis there!!! Never had one before but hear they get really big!! How is their temperament compared to the gaigeae if you dont mind me asking?

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~Markus Arelius

Ok fine just Markus.

The very existence of flamethrowers means that sometime, somewhere, someone said to themselves..."You know, I really want to set those people over there on fire...but I'm just not close enough to get the job done!

Hello,
Andesiana have the same care requirements as gaigeae... they're from a similar habitat, just in Colombia/Venezuela rather than Costa Rica/Panama. Micropholis are found at lower altitudes, so you have to keep them more like Hondurans. I keep mine at 80-85F. In terms of temperament, I only have one, but he seems to be more like a Honduran in that regard as well.

Nate