Reptile & Amphibian Forums

This is Joakim, my '08 Black Milk that I acquired from Dave Niles. He has changed quite a bit since I've gotten him, so I thought I'd post an update on him.
I should note that he did have a slight nose rubbing problem, but it has gotten better in the past month or so.
As of his last weigh in (less than a week ago) he was 250 grams, and as of today, he is 33" in length.

Nice snake... it's almost black!

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- Matt

1.0 Black Milk '04
1.0 Andean Milk '06
0.1 Eastern King '97
0.1 Bullsnake '09

I've posted recently about specific behavior of Milks, but few persons seem to have comments on behavior, versus other topics.

You have three species of interest for me, for specific comparisons. Can you please briefly describe how behavior differs (if at all) between the Andean and Black Milks?

Does their behavior differ at all from the Eastern King?

I'm new to Milks, and it seems to me that my Black Milk is more shy and less inquisitive than my Cal King, but he seems to like being handles & caressed more than any snake I've known. He's also much more of an Ambush predator; my Kings all seem to stalk the prey more, and show more enthusiasm while chasing.

My Andean is a nice little snake. They are just as, if not more shy than my black milk. But it does come out and cruise around quite a bit from time to time, although I don't observe them much other than to care/feed/handle them since they're in the basement.

It handles nice but is a little twitchy when picking it up from the cage. Calm when in hand. Neither a black milk nor the Andean have ever showed any aggression of any type. The Andean is a good feeder and will come out of its hide and chase the mouse around as I hold it by the tail, or just eat from my fingers.

In appearance, other than color, they are just like black milks. Same stubby tail and cute eyes.

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- Matt

1.0 Black Milk '04
1.0 Andean Milk '06
0.1 Eastern King '97
0.1 Bullsnake '09

Hey Matt how long/big is your 04 Black? I measured Ebony last night and turns out she is a tad longer than I told you, she came in at about 51 inches. After I measured her she proceeded to chomp down a tasty rat

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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!

Hey Markus,

I'm not sure how big he is. That pic above was taken in 2007 I think in March when he was about 2.5 years old. I won't be able to see him again until June when I get back home to MN I have a guy who is fostering him and my Andean milk. I also have no idea how much the kid is feeding either him or my Andean. Hopefully at least every week or two. I like to feed a big meal weekly (2-3 XL retired breeder mice) to that black milk...

I would guess he was close to 5 feet or so. Maybe more, maybe not...
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- Matt

1.0 Black Milk '04
1.0 Andean Milk '06
0.1 Eastern King '97
0.1 Bullsnake '09

Oh duh that's right I forgot you are still away! My bad haha! Yeah hopefully they are being fed a good amount as you hope! I have been feeding small rats to mine at once a week and while they are big meals to get down and leave a good sized bulge in their bellies, not once has it been a problem and they have those things digested in 2-3 days and a nice turd for me by days 4-5 at most.

Cant wait till mine hit 5 feet And then 6!!!

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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!

Yeah, he sure is. It's amazing how fast he has changed.
That's a beauty you've got as well. I think I've seen them on another forum I'm a member of, but I can't be sure. It's a corn snake forum, and the guy is fostering an Andean and Gaigeae. He's from Minnesota, too.

Very nice. Dave has some great stuff and is a joy to deal with.

I definitely agree. I recommend Dave to everybody who is thinking about getting any Milk. I was thrilled with everything, and he has gone above and beyond what most breeders would when it comes to his snakes.

Hey Suzanne

He's looking great...good size and nice and dark. Thanks for sharing those pics!

Dave
DNS Reptiles

I love how fast he has changed. I just wonder if he's at a normal weight for his age. Like I told you in that e-mail, I know of someone who has an '07 who just hit 300 grams. Either hers were underfed or mine is going to be massive. LOL