Reptile & Amphibian Forums

A friend was recently at the herp expo in Hamm, and called to let me know that he saw a male 2011 gaigeae offered for sale. He mentioned that it was small, but healthy and well nourished.

I've always wanted a black milksnake, and am happy that one was tracked down, as they're not as common in Europe as they are in the U.S. At 200 EURO, they're also more pricey...

I offered the snake 2 thawed out pinkies, expecting the gaigeae's reputation as being a voracious feeder to preceed him. He only took one...! Being that he's on the small side, will he tend to be a smaller adult? I don't really care if he tops out at 72", but wouldn't be happy if he grew to only a four footer. I plan to offer him all the food he wants within reasn, if there's any "catching up" to do.

Do lots of breeders feed their snakes a "substainance diet" until their animals are sold for economic reasons? If so, does this determine whether the animal will tend to be smaller as an adult?

Thanks for your input, and yeah, I know, a photo is in order!

Most (if not all) squamates have indeterminate growth - they continue to grow throughout their lives, though more slowly once they approach a larger size. That said, many animals reach reproductive maturity at quite a smaller size than their full potential. For example, it's not unusual for female L. t. multistrata to begin ovulating and breeding at 20 inches (or even a little smaller) in total length. The vast majority, though, continue to grow steadily until reaching 24-30 inches, where their growth slows significantly.

Additionally, it's been shown that animals which have been fed little, and are smaller than their cohorts because of it, aren't permanently stunted. If returned to a better diet, they resume normal growth and size... sometimes even "catching up" to others of their age class that are "normal" size. However, that doesn't mean that there aren't animals with a genetic predisposition to remain small. That is certainly the case in some instances.

Lampropeltis triangulum multistrata - Stillwater County, Montana

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-Cole

Great answer Cole, and thanks!

I'll definitely place the snake under a better feeding regimen right away. I've had lots of milksnakes, and this 2011 gaigeae is surely the calmest I've ever had. I look foward to observing
his gradual ontogenetic color change, and also him attaining a nice size.

Here's a photo I just took of him with a standard BIC pen for reference.
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I had a smaller gaigeae given to me back in 2005... though the photo doesn't "prove" it (cage depth is 17 inches) she is now a little over 6ft and bulkier than either of her parents or any other Black Milk I've seen with the possible exception of one that Shannon Brown posted pictures of a few years back... the second photo here is of my son with the sire of my female... the sire is 70" long in this photo taken back in 2006

Long story short... what Cole said... with proper feeding and care a runt today doesn't mean a runt tomorrow! Congrats on picking him up... hope you get as much enjoyment from your gaigeae as I've gotten from mine.

Gerry

Thanks, Gerry!

Great photos of your gaigeae... I remember having had seen your photos along with one of Shannon. I'm no longer that concerned about whether mine will get that large, and soon that "runt" label will be a thing of the past.

Thanks again!