Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm interested in obtaining my first colubrid and need suggestions for what species to get. I'm looking for something that is a little more active than my Kenyan sand boas. I'm hoping to find something that doesn't hide all day in the substrate or hide box. As an adult, this snake should live comfortably in a three or four foot long cage. What suggestions do you have?

Colubrids I'm considering are black milksnakes and Taiwan Beauty snakes. Any comments about these species? I'd welcome any other species suggestions you have.

In addition to the sand boas, I also have a pair of jungle carpet pythons. I do have some experience with snakes.

Thanks ahead of time!

Taiwan beauties are quite active and but get rather large and might end up needing something more like a 5 or 6 foot cage. Both my king and my milk are as inactive as KSB's- actually more inactive than young KSB's. My western hognose is very active, but they're small snakes. You might want to look into American rats or Pitophis...
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Peter: It's OK, I'll handle it. I read a book about something like this.
Brian: Are you sure it was a book? Are you sure it wasn't NOTHING?

I agree with Meretseger, Taiwans get large and are quite active. They can be a handfull (actually two hands full!) once they reach adult size and they can get agressive about feeding.

Most of the North American rat snakes and king snakes I've had were active around feeding time but generally laid low.

Racers and the Drymarchons seem to have pretty fast metabolisms- roam the cage alot, eat alot and defecate like no other snake I've kept. If you don't mind cleaning cages daily, they are great snakes to watch. Cribos (Central American Black Tail) are generally available and are relatively inexpensive. The one I had for 8 yrs had a great temperament, easy to handle and wasn't at all head shy.
Just a few more options...
Lora

It sounds like Taiwans are going to be too big for the size of caging I'd like to provide. I've heard there's another beauty snake which is smaller. Maybe I'll look into that.

The indigos and cribos sound like cool snakes to have. I don't think they're for me because of the cage size and because of their rapid metabolisms which necessitate immediate, frequent cleaning. They are impressive animals though.

Thanks for your input. I appreciate it.

And the most active is my black rat snake. Right after feeding, none are active, but after a day or two of digestion, then they seem to be out more often. I have a normal corn, a black rat snake, an albino black rat snake and just acquired 2 more rats today. I also have some kings, but they are not as active as my rat snakes.

I really like the North American rat snakes the best, and are in my opinion the best snakes to keep.
Happy Herping
Brian

Thanks for the suggestions for North American rat snakes. They sound like cool colubrids. I like how they seem to be active in the day.

Can a pair of ratsnakes be kept together?

Would a pair or single do well in a 4 foot by 2 foot cage?

Thanks!

I wouldnt keep 2 snakes together in the same enclosure. Too many problems.

Main ones being:
1. Stress on the snakes
2. One could eat the other
3. The female could become gravid at too young an age
4. Disease/parasites could spread unchecked

I would go ahead and get a seperate setup for each snake. Best that way. You will probably be glad you did in the long run.

What ever you do, keep us posted and good luck. There are lots of colubrids to choose from, and I bet you wont stop at just 2!

Good luck and Happy Herping
Brian

Hi,

TheThe Black Milk Snake is the largest Milk Snake and can attain 6’ in length.

Incredible animal. Very docile, excellent eaters and do not like it hot. I have never been bitten by any of mine. I have several of them and just got another trio from an outstanding breeder (Dixon). He has a very good line of Black Milks. Outstanding stock and a great guy to boot.

These snakes become large Black bulldozers. Beautiful animal. The babies are jumpy. The adults are a joy to handle and watch. Very strong feeding response watch your hands while feeding. The large snake can move very fast at dinnertime.

The adults become outstanding lap snakes. Consider the Black Milk Snake. Later, Dann

Thanks for the photo. Your snake looks awesome!

Would I be able to keep a pair of adult black milksnakes in a 4 foot by 2 foot cage?

Are these snakes irridescent like rainbow boas?

Are black milks active in their cages or do they spend most of the time hiding?

Thanks a lot for your input.

Would I be able to keep a pair of adult black milk snakes in a 4 foot by 2-foot cage?

*Yes and No. The cage size is okay. I keep mine in 48” cages and a breeder rack. But it is not wise IMO to keep any Milk or King Snake together in the same enclosure. I feed mine fish, quail, and rodents (variety). There is no doubt in my mine that a Black Milk snake would not hesitate to eat one another. As I stated earlier there feeding response is very strong and it doesn’t seem to matter what’s for dinner.

Are these snakes iridescent like rainbow boas?

*Yes and No. Right after shed you can see an iridescent huge but not as dramatic as a Rainbow Boa. Depending on the stock of Black Milk Snake some are a chocolate brown in coloration and some blue black (pick good stock).

Are black milks active in their cages or do they spend most of the time hiding?

*They are milk snakes. Each one will have his/her own personality as far as activity goes. My large male is a morning person like me. Up at dawn and hungry, eats and goes to bed. The young ones hind most of the time I only see them out when it is dark and quiet or hunting. As they mature you will see more of them out looking for food, as they are always hungry.

Thanks a lot for your input.