Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I caught this guy in my girlfriend's house. He's a milksnake, correct? I've owned plenty of reptiles but never a snake, and i'm thinking of keeping him. He's a baby (6-8 inches long, as big around as a pencil) what will he eat? pinkies (live?), crickets? Any additional info would be appreciated. thanks!

Milk Snake for sure! I'm not positive, but it kind of looks like a Central Plains Milk to me. Someone will know for sure. With food try a pinkie mouse. If he doesn't take it you might try scenting a pinkie with a lizard. Anyhow it is a beautiful snake! Best of luck! Tom

I forgot to ask. Where, geographically did you catch it?

Central Texas, more specifically College Station.

Probably a Mexican Milk Snake (Lampropeltis triangulum annulat). Nice find.

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I take back my first guess now knowing it was found in Central Texas. I agree with L.t.annulata or (Mexican Kingsnake). Here is a link with a little bit about them.
Link

In my last post i accidentally typed mexican kingsnake I meant Milksnake. Woops

Cool. I got him some frozen pinkies, but he wouldn't take to one (thawed obviously). Maybe they need to be scented? Or he's just plain not hungry? He's also very agitated. Can I expect him to have better temperament once I get him a good habitat and start feeding him regularly?

The snake is in his new home! I got him a live pinky, but he won't take to that either. a friend of mine suggested teasing, but i feel i might have to resort to scenting the pinkies. any suggestions on the best way to go about this? I've heard it can be very difficult feeding wild snakes at first. =(
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Alex

Alex,

Find a skink and try scenting with that. Louisiana milksnakes are primarily skink eaters for the first few years of life.

Here's a pic of a milksnake from near Carlos (about 20 miles east of College Station along Highway 30). This guy ate pinkie/fuzzy mice for me for years.

Chris

Snakes of the Brazos Valley

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Chris Harrison

Thanks for the advice, Chris (and for helping a snake newbie!). I will try scenting a pinky and see if he'll take it. I'll be sure to make an update either way.
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Alex

The milksnakes from College Station are Louisiana Milksnakes (L.t. amaura). I have caught quite a few around there and April is the best month to find them.
They will settle down and eat pinkies in captivity, although they are a little high strung and don't enjoy being handled. A few will prefer skinks to pinkies at first, but a few skink-scented pinks will usually switch them over.

That snake looks like a yearling or a two year old. Hatchlings are TINY!

Also, these little beasts are among the best escape artists in the snake world! Be very careful about how you house it.
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Chris Harrison