Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello snake enthusiasts! I am an animal lover but am new to the reptile family. I have a leopard gecko that I obtained earlier this year (she's doing great) and over the weekend purchased a male Pueblan milksnake at a reptile show and have him set up with the basic habitat. I would greatly appreciate any words of wisdom for a beginner. I have read volumes of information online but thought I would go straight to the source ... other milksnake people. Thank you.

Well, first word of wisdom is, "don't grab". On the kingsnake.com care sheets the leopard gecko is recommended as excellent beginner reptile. I let mine fall to the floor and was afraid he would get hurt so I grabbed him--WRONG! He turned and popped my finger-little teeth like a razor. I have found my milks, corns, kings, ball python and Hog Island boa to be very gentl, but all living thing have natural reflexes.

A word to the wise is sufficient for you can in no wise tell the otherwise. Miss Mildred, 8th grade, 1961

as long as you have the basic setup...water bowl, hide on warm side and cooler side, VERY secure lid, substrate (i use news paper) you should be fine. oh, also something with rough edges. it helps them to shed if they have something to rub on.

i have a tangerine dream honduran milk that is great. one thing you might want to know is they hide 24/7. so don't freak out when you never see your new baby out and about.

Pueblans are more skittish (even as adults) than many other types of snakes, such as corn snakes and kingsnakes. Pueblans don't get as long as many other types of popular pet snakes - they average 28-32 inches. These snakes have always been early breeders for me and sometimes I am hatching out their eggs as early as May. Their care is identical to that of a corn snake or kingsnake.

Tim

Third Eye