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Hello everyone! I am the proud new owner of a black milsnake. I finally got one! I was trying to decide between a mexican milk or a black milk, and I know that I made the right decision. He's great. He's 5 months old, and tame as any corn snake I've ever held. I can't wait for him to get big! When I went to the breeder's place to pick him up, I saw an adult male black milk. Wow, was he beautiful! Well, after braggin, I have one question about feeding. Adult black milks are big enough in girth to take medium rats, but they're heads are so small. The breeder I purchased mine from fed his adult black milks, (6 foot plus) rat pups. That seems awfully small for a snake that size. I have read that black milks have deceptively strong jaws, and adults are capable of taking medium rats with regularity. Any experience? Thank a bunch,

-Mack

congratz on your aquisition, I'm sure you'll love him. Go down a few theads and you'll see my (almost 2 year old) black milk too see what you have in store...

I wouldn't be shocked if you found an adult black milk out there that would take a medium rat with no probs...

They are ferocious eaters (and fun to watch) not often shy, and they can take a bit more than your average size prey (though it's not recommended to push their limits obviously). Mine is taking regular sized mice once every 3-5 days, I'm sure I'd have no problem switching him over to rats, which is where he'll be going once my shipment of frozen comes in.

enjoy and congratz again.

>>Hello everyone! I am the proud new owner of a black milsnake. I finally got one! I was trying to decide between a mexican milk or a black milk, and I know that I made the right decision. He's great. He's 5 months old, and tame as any corn snake I've ever held. I can't wait for him to get big! When I went to the breeder's place to pick him up, I saw an adult male black milk. Wow, was he beautiful! Well, after braggin, I have one question about feeding. Adult black milks are big enough in girth to take medium rats, but they're heads are so small. The breeder I purchased mine from fed his adult black milks, (6 foot plus) rat pups. That seems awfully small for a snake that size. I have read that black milks have deceptively strong jaws, and adults are capable of taking medium rats with regularity. Any experience? Thank a bunch,
>>
>>-Mack

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TekMunki
Web Designer/Network Analyst/Snake Enthusiast
Lake City, FL
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I'd agree with your breeder on this one. I also feed my adults rat pups or adult mice depending on what I have. As you observed, they do have relatively small heads/mouths and seem to have trouble getting down large prey items. I'm sure that a very large black milk could probably get down a small or medium rat but why push it? They seem to have a fairly slow metabolism and I'd rather feed smaller prey items than push it's limits.

By the way, you made a great choice in getting a gaigeae! Mexican milks are cool too but they're like apples and oranges.
Good luck,
Chris