Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I would like to know that is the physical difference between an adult black milk and a black king ?

I have a 4 foot jet-black milk and he's a male.

Which scales should I count to know if I have really a milk ?

Thank you !

Here some pictures of my black milk

How long have you owned the snake, Milks are tri colors as babies and gradually turn Black. Tom Stevens

I buy this snake when he was 2 1/2 years old, so he was already black.

Someone counted the number of scales on his back and he has less scales than kingsnake...

I'm confused...

This question has come up before; if I receall correctly, scale counts may not be conclusive. Given that black milks are still relatively rare, I'd say that if you have to ask, it's probably an MBK. The head shape says MBK too... black milks usually don't have a distinct "neck" like yours does. A black milk would probably still be showing some hints of juvenile coloration at that size. Black milks and MBKs have very different temperature requirements too... what are the temps in his cage?

Nate

I think you'd pay a lot more for a black milk at that age than for an MBK. About how much did you pay if you don't mind me asking?

Haven't we already been through this on here with this snake?

These new pictures suggest a black king - here's why -

1. The head shape says nigrita, not milksnake.
2. The brown hint to the background color. Many nigrita are actually dark brownish black, not glossy jet black. Black milks are glossy blue black.
3. A black milk under about 4 feet will show remnants of pattern generally, particularly on the side of the face.
4. Are there any white spots under the throat? Many (but not all) nigrita will have a white spot under the chin somewhere that you never see in adult milksnakes.
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Chris Harrison