Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,

Can someone help me ID this baby snake? I'm almost positive it's a little milk snake (or maybe a king snake). It's about 6-8 inches long. I live in NE Tennessee and found him this afternoon. . The pics are a little blurry but I think you can see them OK. One pic shows his underside, the other shows the markings on top.

Thanks,

Lisa

http://www.jellico.com/snake.html
Link

It's a hatchling Eastern Milk Snake. Congrats, that is a good find for Tennessee. What county did you find it in?

Scott

Hi,

The snake was found in Campbell County, TN/KY border.

Next question: I dunno if I can obtain pinky mice. What else might the snake be expected to eat in captivity? It's a really cool little snake, and I'ld like to keep it IF I can feed it.

Lisa

Pinkie mice are definitely the way to go. Baby easterns have been known to eat other things including small minnows, little slugs, skink/lizard parts etc. but none of these things are practical really. Pinkies are easy. Eastern babies (especially captive born babies) usually readily take pinkies/pinkie parts.
Pinks also provide good nutrition for the snake. If you don't want to obtain pinkies from one of the reputable vendors like RodentPro I would suggest releasing the snake where you found it.

Scott

I want you to know that you will not do well with it in a big enclosure.These snakes are found in small,cramped and tight places remember.I find it best to put such a small snake into a deli cup with holes in the lid(of course).The water dish is easy,take a dixie cup and cut a V in it,these fit snugly under the lid of the deli cup.It is important to regulate proper temps and keep the substrate clean and dry AT ALL TIMES,for this I prefer paper towels.By the way,I have NEVER heard of ANYONE successfully feeding milks fish or slugs and I definately would not recommend it to a beginner.If the snake refuses food for more than 3 weeks be prepared to let it go.Dont worry about outside temps for release,I have found milks active in Mass.the 2nd week of deer season(2nd week of DEC!)and put them in my pocket.....where they stayed warm and happy the rest of the day!Jeff

they tend to be real escape artists also so be careful and make sure the caging is totally escapeproof....