Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello

I was curious as to how flighty the baby milks are and how much they bite ( and does it even hurt??? - they dont seem like they would be too strong).

any tips on how to handle these guys? Thank you very much

Just try not to handle them too often, or at all. We are just big predators to them, and think we want to eat them. Make sense? About the biting, if they do get a mouth full be patient. You don't want to rip any of their teeth out, since it could lead to mouth rot, if it gets infected. BTW, no it doesn’t hurt too much, but it can startle you a bit IMO. Hope this helps-Smokey

p.s. A lot of ssp. can be nippier than others. For some reason my scarlet kings love to chomp down. Who know maybe I taste good?lol Sorry for the bad quality pic.

My milk snake is one of the calmer types, a Sinaloan, and s/he has never bitten or musked. (I must say that I did pick it out of a box of week old hatchlings based on apparent tolerance to handling). Rangi did try to launch him/her self out of my hands but now that s/he has doubled in size (4.5 months) s/he doesn't do that any more.

I handle Rangi for a few minutes about 3 times a week.

Whether to or not handle them now depends on what the snakes are for you. If they are to raise and look at, then routine handling is not needed. If you want to handle them someday, start now. Either way, I would suggest some degree of handling - if there is a problem with a shed or some minor problem, you have to pick them up. If you don't do it routinely, you are going to have to wrestle with them as well as address the problem. Not a good situation.

As for biting, they might but as previously posted, it doesn't hurt but is is a startler when they do. Don't let that be a determining factor though whether you do or not. Again, the medical issues that potentially would need addressing will be complicated if you don't do some degree of handling now and continue.

Personally, I have two Albino Nelsoni females and one Male Albino Nelsoni (all '03 hatchlings). I handle them about 3x week, including transfering to a feeding (deli) cup. One female is aggetated when I pick her up, but calms down in 15 seconds. The other female is really wired and lashes around for 45 seconds and gradually calms down, somewhat, but is getting better over the past three months. The male pushes against my fingers as I get him out of his box, but once out, within 5 seconds he is calm as a sleeping baby, lashes his tail around somthing (finger) and starts to explore. Cool.

Remember they have personalities too so combinned with your intentions of having them will dictate how/when you handle....

Thanks all

I went and got one and then two more. One alb nelson female and a piar of loans.

The nelson is very flighty and struck me twice. The sinaloans are quite calm. All three ate last evening as well.

Question for you - right now Im keeping them in critter keepers - but I would like to build them a nice display case.

What would you suggest for these guys for cage size? I was thinking 30x18x12 or so for each one. Sound right? what is the minumum size they would be happy in? what is the max size? (dont want to casue them stress)

thanks in advance and Ill post some pics soon.

-adam

Watch out for baby pueblans. They are VERY nervous. I have a 7 month old honduran and he is calming down with regular handling. Except after feeding or in shed mode. He is a bit squermy when I first pick him up but calms down quickly and crawls about my hand with out me holding on to him for dear life. He has never bitten me or even tried to bite. My corn, however, sometimes will 'taste' my hand or fingers and it feels like a bunch of little needles. Those ity bity teeth are sharp!